Fort 49a "Dłubnia"
Fortress Kraków
A historic armoured fort from 1892-1896, whose task was to protect the Dłubnia valley in cooperation with forts 49 "Krzesławice" and 48a "Mistrzejowice". It took no part in the fighting of the First World War and remained in military hands between the wars. During the Second World War its armoured turrets were blown up, and after the war, until 1990, the fort served as a warehouse. It is located at S. Petőfiego Street.
History
Fort 49a "Dłubnia" is a large armoured fort in the north-eastern part of the Kraków Fortress. It was built in 1892-1896 as one of two large armoured forts put up at that time in the northern section of the fortress; the other was Fort 47a "Węgrzce". Its task was to protect the valley of the Dłubnia river, and it was supported by the neighbouring forts: 49 "Krzesławice" and 48a "Mistrzejowice". Around it stood an earthen infantry redoubt and artillery batteries, none of which survive today.
The fort saw no fighting in the First World War. Between the wars it belonged to the army and, it is believed, until 1939 it housed a radio station which, together with the mast at the Krzesławice fort, was meant to help decipher Enigma. During the Second World War the armoured turrets were blown up, and after the war, until 1990, the fort was used for storage. It stands on Petőfiego Street.
Did you know?
The fort also had an ammunition shelter from 1914-1915, located 1,600 metres to the south. In 2022 it was dismantled because of the expansion of the S7 expressway and moved about a kilometre to the east, and since 2025 it has been rebuilt from its original parts.