Fort VII "Prałkowce"

Created on the basis of source materials by - Author: Tomasz Trojnar

Fort VII "Pralkowce" is a single-shafted artillery fort, built in the years 1882-1886 on a hill that was 352 meters above sea level. It closed the outer ring south to the river San. Its task was to prevent the enemy to Przemyśl from the Sanok and Bircza side.

This is a single-shafted artillery fort was built of basis of a bastion, in its construction very similar to the fort V "Grochowce". The moat was defended by the anti-slope positions. In addition to the positions on the shaft, between the bottle-neck barracks and pens a Carnot wall was built. In the courtyard there were concrete barracks, of which the middle part was destroyed in 1915. during the retaking of the fortress, after heavy artillery shelling of allied forces. Behind the barracks was the main ammunition depot combined with a caponier postern in the moat.

During the second siege of Przemyśl from this fort were performed several organized excursions, which were to to connect the Austro-Hungarian army with the support coming from Sanok, which unfortunately ended with great losses without achieving their goal. In March 1915 smilarly to other forts, Fort VII was blown up before surrendering the fortress to the Russians. At the end of May 1915 the fort during the defense by the Russians this time was successfully shot by the Austrians with heavy mortars caliber 305mm (which results are visible puncture in the ceilings) and then it was conquered by the Austrian army. After the shootings at the fort this time by the Russians and their counter-attack the Austrians were forced to re leave the fort.

Creator of the text: Jacek Dzik

Bibliography and references:

Forester Franz - Twierdza Przemyśl, Warszawa 2000 r.
Idzikowski Tomasz - Forty Twierdzy Przemyśl, Przemyśl 2001 r.
Idzikowski Tomasz - Twierdza Przemyśl
Mini przewodnik, Przemyśl 2005 r.
Różański Jan - Forty Twierdzy Przemyśl, Przemyśl 1980 r.

The author of photos: Dariusz Strycharski