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Arte et Marte
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In 1825 Jan Mallet-Malletski designed a strange fortification structure in the left, northern flank of Bastion I called “defensive
The watercolor by Jan Paweł Lelewel is showing the interior of Bastion I with controlling it two-storey building of the defensive traverse.
traverse”. It was a two-storey, thick-walled casemate building which ended curtain wall I-VII an whose back fitted into the embankment. The main purpose of the building was to defend the inside of the bastion using light artillery as if Russians were afraid that Bastion I might be the target of a particularly fierce enemy attack. The reason why Bastion I was equipped with this additional and expensive defensive structure is still a mystery. It did not take over the function of an earthen retrenchment visible in 18th century plans of the fortifications but was such a unique facility that it was painted two times by Jan Paweł Lelewel. No distinct trace of the defensive traverse has been preserved. At the site of underground remains of this mysterious building there is a small board devoted to the beginnings of a new era in Zamość fortifications as the traverse in Bastion I belonged to the new system of polygonal fortifications. .

  • The cross-sections of the left, shoulder casemate of the Bastion I and its peculiar structure to defend the entrance of this Bastion, called defensive traverse. It is a building that stands perpendicular to the shaft. In this example it is a two-storey, casemate building. It has shooting positions for a close defense and only 2 artillery positions, probably mortar. The picture is project and constructional

    It is a building that stands perpendicular to the shaft. In this example it is a two-storey, casemate building. It has shooting positions for a close defense and only 2 artillery positions, probably mortar. The picture is project and constructional

  • The report picture, post-completion of the two-storey traverse on Bastion I of 1845.

  • The watercolor by Jan Paweł Lelewel is showing the interior of Bastion I with controlling it two-storey building of the defensive traverse. . It should be noticed, maybe quite idealistic, masking-ornamental trees from young black poplars of Italian type. Below there are artillerymen in green jackets-uniforms. They are towing a field gun on ropes

    It should be noticed, maybe quite idealistic, masking-ornamental trees from young black poplars of Italian type. Below there are artillerymen in green jackets-uniforms. They are towing a field gun on ropes

  • Another shot of the defensive traverse on the watercolor by Jan Paweł Lelewel.