Fortress Josefov (Josefstadt)

 military, fortification

The fortress was built 1780 - 1789 to defend area against militant Prussia by order of Emperor Josef II. Fortress was constructed on the promontory upon the confluence of Labe and Metuje rivers by design of military engineer General Duhamel de Querlonde. It had capacity up to 12 000 soldiers. Main buildings were constructed in empire style. It comprises ramparts (in the form of octagonal powerful artillery bastions), extensive casemates (to a length of some 45 km, of which 5 km are open to the public), the headquarters building, a hospital, several barracks, the armorial, the presidiary Church of the Ascension, prison, military cemetery and civilian houses. Inundation trenches round about ramparts improved defensive possibilities of the fortress. But it was never used to defensive purposes against offensive Prussian Army.

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