Ulm: Discover secrets of the mighty federal fortress and its history!

Ulm: Discover secrets of the mighty federal fortress and its history!

In the picturesque city of Ulm, which is located on the Danube, there is an impressive testimony of historical military architecture: the federal fortress Ulm. This fortress, which was currently being built in the 19th century, is now the best preserved of its kind throughout Europe. The construction started in 1841 and left an impressive legacy that visitor to this day.

Inspiration for the construction came after Napoleon's defeat. Under the impression of his military successes, the four great powers of Austria, Great Britain, Prussia and Russia decided to build large fortress plants to prevent a similar threat in the future. Ulm was quickly recognized as a strategic location, which led to the agreement to build several fortresses.

an important military location

The Federal Fortress was built between 1842 and 1859 and was led by Moritz Karl Ernst von Prittwitz and Gaffron. With up to 10,000 workers, this was a huge project. Up to 5,000 soldiers could be stationed there in peace, and in the event of war it would have been up to 20,000. These figures illustrate the importance that this location had both militarily and strategic.

A new fortress construction was used in Ulm. In contrast to previously built fortresses, a polygonal system was created here, which was extremely effective into the surrounding topography. The systems enclosed both Ulm and the neighboring place Neu-Ulm and were therefore well protected against attacks.

When the German Bund was dissolved in 1866, the status of the fortress changed: it passed into the possession of the German Reich and was from then on was called the "Reich fortress". This ensured that the system continued to be used militarily, even if its role changed over time.

history and structural development

After the original structures of the fortress system had largely been preserved, there were further structural changes in the 20th century. From 1900 concrete structures were added to modernize the fortress. However, these extensions have never been completed. Fortunately, the federal fortress escaped the demolition plans, which was true for many other solid buildings in Germany after the First World War, which secured their preservation for posterity.

Different parts of the federal fortress are still visible in Ulm and Neu-Ulm, although many parts of the system are threatened by decay. Some of the forts and concrete buildings that used to guarantee the strength of the system are particularly at risk.

The citadel of Wilhelmsburg is the most striking building of the fortress and can be visited today. It extends over an area of over 24,000 square meters and has more than 800 rooms. Since its completion in 1848, it has not only been a military center, but also served as barracks and later as a refugee camp.

Today, the Federal Fortress is more than just a relic from a long past time. The city has tried very hard to preserve its fortress plants, and numerous museums and exhibitions invite you to learn more about the complex history of these monumental buildings. The recently extensively renovated Wilhelmsburg plays a central role in this because it is regularly used as an event location for various events.

according to various sources, how www.az-online.de , the range of tours and events in Wilhelmsburg attracts many interested visitors. The facility is not only considered a historical monument, but also as a cultural meeting point in the region.

The Federal Fortress Ulm, especially in combination with the citadel of Wilhelmsburg, represents a unique legacy and an important stage in the military history of Germany. The ideal way to explore these impressive buildings is ideal for a lasting visit to Ulm, where numerous test experiences are waiting for those interested in history.