Fort 39 "Olszanica"
Fortress Kraków
A Fortress Kraków fort on Prochowódka hill, in the Olszanica housing estate, built in 1884-1885 as a semi-permanent fort and rebuilt in 1913 as a permanent close-defence fort. No fighting took place here during the First World War. Until 1984 there was a "Romet" bicycle warehouse here, and then the fort was handed to the Kraków-Krowodrza Scout District for camping purposes. In the 1990s it underwent a general renovation and thanks to continuing repairs it is in good condition today. It was entered in the register of monuments on 2 March 1983. The fort's address is I. Kosmowskiej Street.
History
Fort 39 "Olszanica" stands on the summit of Prochowódka hill (292 m above sea level) in the Sowiniec Range, above the Olszanica estate. It was built in 1884-1885 as a semi-permanent infantry fort, and in 1913 it was rebuilt as a permanent close-defence fort. The group of defensive works also included an infantry redoubt and two artillery batteries, designated FB 40a and FB 40b. From the north it supported the neighbouring Fort 38 "Skała". No fighting took place here during the First World War.
After the war the fort served civilian purposes for a long time. Until 1984 it housed a warehouse for "Romet" bicycles, and then it was handed over to the Kraków-Krowodrza Scout District for camping. The barracks, where camping equipment was stored, were damaged in an arson fire, and the Scout Horse Riding Club took over the management of the fort on behalf of the Scout District. In the 1990s the fort was thoroughly renovated: a small hotel for 26 people and a snack bar called "Fort 39" were created. Thanks to constant repairs it has survived in good condition, and it was entered in the register of historic monuments on 2 March 1983.
No marked tourist trails lead up the hill. You can get there along the asphalt Ireny Kosmowskiej Street from the south, or by dirt paths.
Did you know?
The hill on which the fort stands is sometimes also called Parchowatka. On its northern slopes rises one of the two springs of the Olszanicki Stream.