History

The structure was erected in 1741 but already after four years (approx. in 1745) it was transformed into a field fortification structure called lunette. From that time, the fort was many times re-designed and modernised, depending on changing military needs, until 1807, when it was destroyed by the Napoleonic army besieging the Nysa Stronghold. In 1809, the structure was rebuilt, and in the next years it was reinforced and extended a couple of times. During the second half of the 19th century, it was ultimately transformed into a single-rampart structure. From 1910, the Water Fort was used as a munition storehouse. Currently, it is administered by the Cultural Centre of Nysa, and there is a restaurant within its area.

Description

The Blokhauz Water Fort is located near Powstańców Śląskich Street in the south-western part of the municipal park, in Zamłynie district. It is built on a plan of a quadrangular lunette, enclosed with earthen, angled ramparts and a low gorge rampart flanking the access to the gate through the causeway over the moat (currently a pond). The complex comprises a number of earthen structures with a water moat (hence the name, Water Fort), and brick casemate structures including, among other things: 32 beamed shelters, munition elevator shelter, main shelter, and latrine shelter. In the centre of the yard, there are surviving relics of an original stone foundations from the 18th-century of Blokhauz. The interior of the fort is divided by a massive earthen traverse. The façades of buildings are made of brick, with entrance openings topped with round arches, with two-leaf gates.

The building is accessible to visitors.

compiled by Aleksandra Ziółkowska, Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Opole, 09-12-2015.

Bibliography

• Małachowicz M., Studium konserwatorskie miasta Nysy, Wrocław-Nysa 2000.
• Karta ewidencyjna zabytków architektury i budownictwa, Twierdza Nysa - Fort Blokhauz, oprac. Małachowicz M., 2002 r., Archiwum Wojewódzkiego Urzędu Ochrony Zabytków w Opolu.
• Karta ewidencyjna zabytków architektury i budownictwa, Twierdza Nysa - Fort Blokhauz - Schron remizowy trawersu nr 1, oprac. Małachowicz. M., 2002 r., Archiwum Wojewódzkiego Urzędu Ochrony Zabytków w Opolu.
• Karta ewidencyjna zabytków architektury i budownictwa, Twierdza Nysa - Fort Blokhauz - Schron remizowy trawersu nr 2, oprac. Małachowicz M., 2002 r., Archiwum Wojewódzkiego Urzędu Ochrony Zabytków w Opolu.