The special military and defensive construction was built in 1852-1854 for the Austrian military garrison. The round tower system was designed according to the project of General Maximilian-Joseph d'Este.
The Citadel is located on a strategic hill, overlooking the old part of the city. Understanding the danger of a war with the Russian Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire cared about the security of the city.
However, eventually the reality turned out to be very different, as in 1914 the Austro-Hungarian troops left the city almost without a fight, and there was located a Russian garrison for several months in the citadel.
The most terrible part of the citadel history was during the Second World War.
There was located the Stalag-328 concentration camp organized by Nazis, where they tortured many Red Army prisoners, as well as Italian soldiers, after Italy decided to emerge from the war. Since 1991 the office space has been located in former bastions and barracks.
Author Ihor Lylo
Translated by A. Kushch
