Küstrin Fortress-Fort Gorgast

The origins of the Küstrin Fortress date back to the 16th century, when it was built to protect the residential city of Küstrin. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, fortress construction in the German Empire was intensified. As part of this, Fort Gorgast was built between 1883 and 1889 as one of four planned outer forts to create a defensive ring around Küstrin. It was the only fort intended to control the western bank of the Oder and serve as a retreat area. Despite its construction from visible bricks and being surrounded by a 42-meter-wide moat, the fort was already militarily obsolete upon its completion due to the development of weapon technology. It survived the dismantling of the Küstrin Fortress after World War I undamaged and was not destroyed in World War II, even though it served as a field hospital.