Fortifications of Metz-Fort de Plappeville (Feste Alvensleben)

The origins of Feste Alvensleben date back to 1867, when construction began. Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, when Alsace-Lorraine became part of the German Empire, the fortress underwent extensive modernization and partial reconstruction between 1871 and 1891. It was part of the Moselle position's defense system, which was developed until approximately 1912, serving to protect the newly acquired territory from French attacks. The fortress was designed to accommodate 1600 soldiers and featured 78 gun barrels along with a large quantity of gunpowder. From 1897, it was additionally equipped with two armored batteries, each comprising four rotatable 150-mm gun turrets and armored observation posts. During World War I, the fortress was not directly involved in combat. After World War II, the facility served as a training ground for the French army.

The Fortress Metz-Fort de Plappeville is situated at an elevation of approximately 341 meters above sea level, west of Metz in the Moselle department, in the Lorraine region of France.

Today, the Fortress Metz-Fort de Plappeville is accessible to visitors and can be explored. Although it appears largely cleared out and neglected, it offers an impressive insight into the military architecture of its era.

• Fortress Metz-Fort Saint Quentin (Feste Prinz Friedrich Karl) (Fortress), approx. 1.4 km away
• Fortress Metz-Fort Déroulède (Feste Kameke) (Fortress), approx. 2.4 km away
• Fortress Metz-Fort Jeanne d'Arc (Feste Kaiserin) (Fortress), approx. 4.0 km away
• Fortress Metz-Fort Lorraine (Feste Lothringen) (Fortress), approx. 4.5 km away