Memorial Complex Brest Hero-Fortress

Memorial Complex Brest Hero-Fortress in Brest, Belarus

Brest Fortress, formerly known as Brest-Litovsk Fortress, is a 19th-century Russian fortress in Brest, Belarus. In 1965, the title Hero Fortress was given to the Fortress to commemorate the defence of the frontier stronghold during the first week of the German-Soviet War, when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, with the launch of World War II's Operation Barbarossa. The title Hero Fortress corresponds to the title Hero City, that was awarded to an eventual total of twelve Soviet cities.

Brest Fortress, one of the most important places in Belarus, dates back to the 19th century and became a key symbol of Soviet resistance in World War 2

History of Brest Fortress
Brest Fortress was built in the 1830s-early 1840s at the meeting-point of the rivers Bug and Mukhavyets.

During construction, the entire town was relocated to a new position 2km away.

St Nicolas Church was built in 1851-1876. Much of it was severely damaged during World War 2.

The site occupies more than four square km, although many of the outer defences were damaged or destroyed during the wars of the 20th century.

There is a citadel at the centre of the fortress, linked to three artificial island fortifications by bridgeheads:

Kobrin fortification (north-eastern side)
Terespol fortification (western island)
Volyn fortification (south-eastern island)
The fortress was captured by the German army in 1915 and after World War 1 remained within Polish territory. In 1930 it became infamous as a prison in Poland in the aftermath of the Brest Elections.

In 1939 Brest Fortress was assigned to the Soviet Union. It earned the title of Hero Fortress for the courage demonstrated by Soviet soldiers when they fought against the German army in 1941. Whilst the Nazis took the town of Brest – 90% of which was destroyed in the fighting – the two regiments garrisoned inside the fortress held out.

For the people of Belarus, Brest Fortress remains a famous symbol of the Soviet resistance during World war 2.

Brest Fortress today
Brest Fortress is one of the most important places to see in Belarus and by far the largest tourist attraction in Brest.

The fortress was not rebuilt at the end of the war, but instead became a shrine to the terrible and heroic events that took place there.

The entry of the fortress represents a huge star cut into a concrete block. The radio announcer informs about the invasion of the German army.
As you walk up to the centre of the fortress you see Thirst, a large monument depicting an injured soldier trying to get some water from the river. The monument reflects the bravery of the last remaining soldiers who defended the Fortress for many days without food or water.

The main part of the memorial is the Square of Ceremonies, leading to the Museum of the Defence of Brest fortress and the ruins of the White Palace.

The Bayonet Obelisk, 100m high, can be seen from any part of the fortress, and is linked to the main Courage monument by 3 rows of tombstones. Only 216 of the 850 defenders who died here are known.

The Courage monument stands 33.5m high and tells the story of the heroic defence of the fortress through a series of carvings. There is an eternal flame which is guarded by 4 teenagers from the Pioneers Corps.

There is an Eternal Fire in front of the remnants of the former engineering department.

Further in to the Fortress you will find the iconic Kholmsky Gate, with its bullet-riddled walls.

Getting to Brest Fortress and where to stay
Brest Fortress is best reached on foot. It is about a 30-minute walk from the centre of Brest.

Alternatively there is an hourly bus service from the town.

Whilst you are visiting Brest Fortress you can stay in one of the many Brest hotels, which cater for a wide range of tastes and budgets.

Tourist attractions near Brest Fortress
In order to see everything that Brest Fortress has to offer, you really need to dedicate a whole day to your visit. If you stay longer in Brest there are plenty of other things to see including:

• The Museum of the Railway Equipment in Brest
• St Simeon Orthodox Cathedral (16th Century)
• The museum of the Middle Age town Berestye
• Belovezhskaya Pushcha State National Park and Biosphere Reserve

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Memorial Complex «Brest Hero - Fortress» Belarus - Ep 16 Chapter 2

Brest Fortress is a 19th-century Russian fortress in Brest, Belarus. It is one of the most important Soviet World War II war monuments commemorating the Soviet resistance against the German invasion on June 22, 1941.
The main monument is the sculptural image of a warrior and a banner. This is a huge in size sculpture, consisting of 200 parts (the linear size is up to 54 m and the height is more than 30 m).
High reliefs situated on the backside of the monument tell about the specific episodes and events of the heroic defense.
There is also a hundred-meter obelisk in the form of a tetrahedral bayonet of Russian Mosin rifle (three-line),which symbolizes the victory over the enemy, eternal glory to the heroic defenders of the fortress.In the Citadel, on the left coast of a horn of the river Muhavets the sculptural composition Thirst is located.
On September, 25 1971 the memorial complex Brest Fortress was opened. There are the ruins of the old fortress, the battlefields, the monumental sculptures presented in a unified architectural and artistic ensemble of the memorial, which perpetuated the true story of the legendary heroes of the Brest fortress.