19th century Austrian Cracow Fortress forts by car including 3 museums
1st stop
Fort 51 1/2 Swoszowice: Military Affairs Museum
For around 1h 15- 1h 30 min we are going to visit the museum inside the fort, mainly dedicated to World War I Eastern Front, including many Austrian and Russian weapons, uniforms, documents, front maps, etc, The museum also shows what life was like for soldiers inside the fort.
2nd stop
Fort 52 Borek (Now a branch of the Podgórze Cultural Centre and home of the Polish Song Library)
This fort was completely renovated during the period 2013-2022, and in addition to modern facilities for cultural events, and a café, it also includes a small museum about its usage by Austrian soldiers in early 19th and 20th century. We are going to spend around 45 min in this place. Chance for a coffee break
3rd stop
Fort 52a Łapianka (now venue of the Museum and Centre of the Scout Movement in Cracow)
It was completely renovated by 2022 and now includes conference rooms and accommodation and entertainment facilities for scouts.
Quickly sightseeing the fort and part of its modern facilities. Around 20 min
4th stop
Fort 49 Krzesławice
Currently it hosts a Youth Cultural Centre. This place is important because 440 Poles were executed by the Germans during World War II years in here. Next to the fort, there is a monument to commemorate this tragic event. Around 15 min. Not entering inside the fort.
5th stop
Fort 49 ¼ Grębałów
Today the fort it is mostly used by the Society for the Promotion of Physical Culture Friend of the Horse (a non-profit organization)
What makes this fort special is that is one of the very few that actually took part in World War I during the First Battle of Cracow. The place includes a small museum about the soldiers’ functioning in the fort (as in the case of the previous forts in the itinerary), the Austria-Hungarian army, Austria-Hungary and World War I. The fort was visited by Karl Habsburg Habsburg-Lothringen in 2013, descendant of the Austrian former Royal Family.
We are going to spend around 40 minutes here
6th and final stop
Bastion ( Reduit fortification) III Kleparz
Forty Kleparz
Now a trendy restaurant, club and concert venue, a 15-minute-walk from the Old Town. Today the place keeps many original elements from the fort’s architecture and references to its history. Guided time here: 20 minutes.
Chance for drinks and lunch/dinner after the tour is finished (not included in the tour price)