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A secret case and a map case
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This mysterious structure, planned in 1825 and known only from plans and one water colour by Jan Paweł Lelewel is proof of
Suggestive view by Jan Paweł Lelewel, showing curtain IV – V and shoulder and front of Bastion V.
the importance attached to the defence of the northern part of Zamość Fortress. No land obstacles would help; fortifications had to be much stronger here. On the basis of ideas which originated at the time of the Duchy of Warsaw, a system of three mighty ravelins* in the form of the so-called lunettes* was built at the site in accordance with Mallet’s design. They were located so close to one another that they formed a serrated line on the outside, similar to the tenaille*. Mighty casemates inside these ravelins* marked the next system of fortifications called a polygonal system, which followed bastions* and the tenaille*. Since it was favoured by Prussians and Austrians, polygonal fortifications are often referred to as the “New Prussian School”. It was based on very strong enfilading fire which did not come from flanks* of a bastion but from facilities situated in moats and called caponiers*. The middle ground and foreground was covered with fire coming from masonry redoubts* - cannon stands, whose fronts were shielded with high earthen embankments. Zamość is a good example of how the fortification system evolved from bastioned fortifications to more advanced forms of defence, except for thing: the huge casemate was probably never built. What is left is a blurred trace of embankments in the form of diagonal lanes reaching the northern roundabout in the park designed by Walerian Kronenberg.

  • Investigate the development of North-Western corner of the fortress. Bastion IV, lunette and redoubt far propounded to the West – modern project of 1817, considering expansion of the fortress in the Napoleon’s times

    Bastion IV, lunette and redoubt far propounded to the West – modern project of 1817, considering expansion of the fortress in the Napoleon’s times

  • The same place on the J. Mallet Malletski’s plan of 1825. . Bastion IV elicits counterguard with big caponier in the middle, and the lunette between Bastions IV and V – an even form and huge internal redoubt.

    Bastion IV elicits counterguard with big caponier in the middle, and the lunette between Bastions IV and V – an even form and huge internal redoubt.

  • After 22 years. Ideal plan of Zamość Fortress of 1847, suggesting full realization of Mallet’s intentions. Inside the lunette – large casemate, brick redoubt. In its outfield – caponier ending Carnot’s wall.

    Inside the lunette – large casemate, brick redoubt. In its outfield – caponier ending Carnot’s wall.

  • And what came out of this? – plan of 1854. . None of brick propounded fortification elements – neither huge redoubt inside lunette IV-V nor caponier in front of Bastion IV front was realized. The one exception is small polygonal caponier in front of curtain IV-V.

    None of brick propounded fortification elements – neither huge redoubt inside lunette IV-V nor caponier in front of Bastion IV front was realized. The one exception is small polygonal caponier in front of curtain IV-V.

  • Valuable trace. Alleys in Town Park exactly denote course of the roofed route in front of the counterguard and lunette – the most outer line of defense in front of North-Western corner of the fortress.

    Alleys in Town Park exactly denote course of the roofed route in front of the counterguard and lunette – the most outer line of defense in front of North-Western corner of the fortress.

  • Suggestive view by Jan Paweł Lelewel, showing curtain IV – V and shoulder and front of Bastion V. . The picture shows never reached condition of the strengthening expansion; it is a visualization of the plan of 1825. Brick elements of the lunette visible on the left were never realized. Curtain and front of the bastion are shown in a reliable way.

    The picture shows never reached condition of the strengthening expansion; it is a visualization of the plan of 1825. Brick elements of the lunette visible on the left were never realized. Curtain and front of the bastion are shown in a reliable way.