Real Estate Market Usedom

Median purchase price 3.984 €/sq. ft. · 8.750 listings

Culture and enjoymentMuseumsPOI base entry: CategoriesPOIsProduct linesTMVWestern Pomeraniato-mv.devorpommern.deUsedom

Fort Engelsburg

● Świnoujście · Usedom · 53.9148° N, 14.2736° E

The fort was built in the 1850s and originally served as an artillery observation post for the Świnoujście fortress.

From the outside, it resembles the Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, to which its name alludes. It currently houses a museum exhibition and hosts cultural events. Fort Engels was built between 1854 and 1858 under the reign of Prussian King Frederick William IV as an artillery and observation post for the Świnoujście fortress. At that time, the ground floor was manned by infantry armed with small arms, while the two upper floors housed light field artillery. Cannons and ammunition were hoisted up through oval holes in the ceilings using ropes. During World War II, the fort was remodeled and equipped with all available technologies (electricity, central heating, radio, telegraph) and served as an air observation post for the German Wehrmacht. After the war, the site was taken over by the Russians. It is currently being renovated and functions not only as a museum but also serves as a cultural institution for the city of Świnoujście. The fort hosts music and poetry concerts, as well as reenactments of traditional medieval jousting tournaments. On the firing range, visitors can practice archery, slingshot throwing, or air rifle shooting. The fort also features an unusual Viking hall where visitors can handle exhibits, even try them on, and use them as backdrops for photos. The fort’s shape—built on a regular pentagonal floor plan—resembles Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, hence its name. Permanent exhibitions: - Exhibition of navigational instruments - Porcelain exhibition - Amber jewelry exhibition - Glass art exhibition - Exhibitions of paintings and sculptures by various artists

Fort Engelsburg in Świnoujście – a Prussian fortress on the Baltic Sea

Fort Engelsburg in Świnoujście is one of the most remarkable fortifications along the southern Baltic coast. Built between 1854 and 1858 under Prussian King Frederick William IV, it originally served as an artillery and observation post for the Swinemünde Fortress. Its pentagonal layout bears a striking resemblance to the famous Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome—hence its name. The fort is located on the island of Usedom, right on the border with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and can easily be combined with a trip from Rügen or the German part of Usedom.

From Artillery Post to Cultural Center – The History of the Fort

Infantry was once stationed on the ground floor, while the two upper floors housed light field artillery. Cannons and ammunition were hoisted up through oval openings in the ceiling using ropes. During World War II, the German Wehrmacht modernized the fort—equipping it with electricity, central heating, radio, and telegraph—and used it as an air observation post. After the war ended, the Soviet Army took over the site. Today, the fort is being gradually renovated and serves as a vibrant cultural institution for the city of Świnoujście.

Exhibitions and Events at Fort Engelsburg

Inside, visitors will find several permanent exhibitions, including navigational instruments, porcelain, amber jewelry, glass art, as well as paintings and sculptures by various artists. The Viking Hall is particularly popular, where visitors can touch and even try on historical artifacts. On the shooting range, visitors can try their hand at archery, slingshot throwing, and air rifle shooting. Music and poetry concerts, as well as demonstrations of medieval jousting, are held regularly at the fort.

Nearby

Other attractions in Świnoujście

Fort Gerhard in Świnoujście

● Świnoujście

Fort Gerhard is one of the most important sights in Świnoujście. The building was constructed in the mid-19th century to protect the harbor entrance. It was designed by Gerhard Cornelius, after whose name the building is still named today. Fort Gerhards is just one part of the Swinoujscie fortress. Alongside the lighthouse, it is one of the most important historical monuments in Świnoujście. It was also the most important facility guarding the entrance to the port of Świnoujście. It is a well-preserved fortress built in the years 1848-1859. The idea for its construction came from the 18th century architect Gerhard Cornelius van Wallrave, who also drew up its plan. He was also the author of the project to extend the fortress in Kłodzko (Glatz). The eastern fort was also named "Fort Gerhards" in his honor. The fort has the shape of an oval two-storey redoubt. It originally had two wings and a drawbridge leading over the moat to the main entrance, an inner courtyard and three towers. Due to its location, the harbor was exposed to direct, regular attacks by the enemy. The fortress was therefore constantly expanded. In 1881, two caponiers were added, i.e. earthworks arranged across the moat, which were used for firing and defending the entrance to the fortress. Two bunkers were built at the southern and northern ends of the fort, which were connected to the inner courtyard of the fort by an underground tunnel. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a narrow-gauge railroad was brought to the fortress and a telegraph line was installed After the war, the fortress was handed over to the city. Initially, camps were set up there. The building was later abandoned. Much changed in 2001. The fortress was leased by a group of enthusiasts who opened its doors to visitors a few months later. One of the most interesting places for living history lessons was created. Visitors to the fort learn about history under the watchful eye of a "Prussian soldier", who shows them around and "drills" them if necessary. In 2001, the Coastal Defense Museum was established in the fortress. It is the largest private institution of its kind in Poland and contains over 2000 exhibits on the development of the Swinoujscie fortress over the last 300 years. In the fortress we can see one of the best preserved artillery galleries in Europe - a series of stone and brick emplacements for 150 and 210 mm caliber coastal guns with preserved artifacts of various gun mountings; a small courtyard with casemates under the artillery gallery; ammunition and powder magazines in the west wing of the fort; two artillery stations and former firing positions for field guns on the southern rampart of the fort above the southern caponier; the wreck of the SDKFZ 7/2 transporter, which was salvaged from the sea near Dziwnów in 2006, on the drill ground. The tour of the fortress takes about 75 minutes, plus additional time for the museum visit. Other similar attractions await military and history enthusiasts in Świnoujście. Three of the four forts built in the 19th century have been preserved to this day. All of them are open to the public.

Sleeping

Accommodations auf Usedom

Vacation rentals, hotels, and more in the region

Hotel

A-ROSA Strandidyll Heringsdorf

● Seebad Heringsdorf

In the middle of a beautiful park, the 4-star superior A-ROSA Strandidyll in Heringsdorf welcomes you with Mediterranean flair and warm hospitality. Separated only by the promenade from the 42 km long sandy beach on the island of Usedom, the hotel is just a few meters from the Heringsdorf pier.

Camping

Old school Rieth

● Rieth

The Alte Schule Rieth is a guest and group house with style and charm. The rooms of the historic building have been transformed over many years into very pretty guest rooms of various sizes. There is a campsite and hayloft sleeping accommodation available. Breakfast is possible.

Vacation home

Aparthotel Seeschlößchen

● Zinnowitz

Villa located directly on the Zinnowitz beach promenade. Ideal for relaxing and unwinding.

View all accommodations → →