Impressive in size and grandeur, these buildings leave a strong impression on us. When you add a rich historical context or a dark legend, you immediately want to be in such a place and experience everything firsthand. Poland has several dozen fortresses and fortifications with histories of numerous sieges.
The Modlin Fortress is the largest complex of fortifications in the world, and the Kostrzyn fortress is the oldest bastion fortress in Poland. Has anyone visited all such buildings in our country? If not yet, when visiting Giżycko in Masuria, it’s worth visiting the local Boyen Fortress. Why?
Sailing may be our primary goal when traveling to Masuria, but it doesn’t mean it’s the only one. Boyen Fortress is a historical site built between 1843 and 1855 to block the isthmus between lakes Niegocin and Kisajno. Construction began by order of King Frederick William IV. The name Boyen comes from the surname of one of the initiators of the construction, Prussian General Hermann von Boyen. The fortress was built in the shape of hexagons with bricks and field stones. The six bastions it consists of are named: Herman, Ludwig, Leopold, Schubert, Recht, and Licht. This fortification is surrounded by moats and walls and is located amidst a dense forest. It was designed to accommodate a garrison of 3,000 soldiers. Over the years, the fortress has housed a garrison, command, artillery depot, and hospital. The wall surrounding the fortress is over 2 km long, and only four gates led into its interior, although today mainly two are used. What else don’t we know about Boyen Fortress?
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Although the fortress’s beginnings are linked to its function as an eastern closure fortification, over time it was used as an important site during both World War I and World War II. At the beginning of World War I, the fortress served as a place to store supplies and weapons, and only during the Battle of Tannenberg in 1914 did it become a site of action for the 4,000-strong German soldier garrison defending Giżycko against Russian siege attempts. After World War I, the fortress was used as a hospital, a function it retained during World War II. However, during this period, Boyen Fortress also served as barracks and a training center for soldiers of the German army. The fortress returned to Polish military hands only in 1945. Currently, visitors can explore barrack buildings, an arsenal, and powder and ammunition laboratories. The first is characterized by an interesting semicircular design. Also on the grounds is a bakery complex and utility buildings located on the lowest level of the fortress – the majdan. It is situated at the height of the water surface in Lake Niegocin. Entering through the gate from the Giżycko side, one sees a drawbridge, accessible to visitors only since 2001. The fortress itself has been open to visitors since the 1990s.
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This is just a brief history of this monument; more can be learned during a visit. In the summer season, that is July and August, it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ticket offices close an hour before the site closes. During other months, closing hours vary between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. There is no need to book entrance in advance. Ticket prices range from 10 to 15 PLN during the summer season. It is located west of Giżycko. Attractive events drawing tourists for years are held here. One of them is "Shanties in Giżycko" or "The Craft and Art Forge of Boyen Fortress." Every year, there is also a reenactment of the 1914 German-Russian battle for the fortress, using six replicas of 19th-century cannons purchased by the Giżycko municipality in 2018. On the grounds is a youth hostel, Boyen Tavern located by the main Giżycko gate, and the Boyen Fortress Enthusiasts Society.
For those interested in history and military affairs, there is no doubt that a trip to the heart of Masuria is not only about the vast waters but also visiting this site. For others, the events held here or simply the fact that Boyen Fortress is the most interesting historic building in this region of Poland may be an incentive.
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