Toruń Fortress Museum

Toruń Fortress Museum is located in the building of the former Chełmno Gate Barracks, which are part of the 19th-century fortress defensive system, created to strengthen the eastern border of Prussia. Today, the fortifications of Toruń are one of the best-preserved defensive structures in Europe, representing an extremely valuable monument of military architecture. At the Toruń fortress, lovers of ancient defensive architecture have the opportunity to admire a well-preserved complex of buildings, consisting of forts, shelters, artillery batteries, and support structures.

During the visit to the Toruń Fortress Museum, visitors get to know the Chełmno Gate Barracks, which once housed around 160 soldiers and the attached ammunition laboratory. The latter was used to prepare ammunition for cannons positioned on the ramp covering the building. The long barracks block, measuring 113 meters, consists of three wings housing 16 chambers divided into 26 rooms. The facility was secured against artillery fire by pouring a layer of concrete over one meter thick over the vaults of the rooms, effectively protecting against all projectiles used at the time.

An exhibition has been prepared in the halls of the former barracks, which, through boards, models, dioramas, and multimedia devices, brings closer to visitors the centuries-old history of Toruń's fortifications and all related aspects. The exhibition is complemented by valuable exhibits, including a movable armored tower and weapons used by soldiers defending the city. In the exhibition halls of the Toruń Fortress Museum, one can learn about the various stages of the creation and functioning of the Fortress, from the Middle Ages, through modern times, the 19th century, until the end of World War II.