Do you know Bucharest was once encircled by a ring of fortifications? These fortifications were built in the late 19th century. This is Bateria Nr. 10 – 11. It was part of this defense system.
King Carol I initiated this ambitious project. He was a capable military professional trained in Germany. General Henri Alexis Brialmont a Belgian was instructed to design this defense complex. It stretched over 72 km around Bucharest. The design included 18 forts. They were spaced 4 km apart. Another 18 intermediate batteries like Bateria Nr. 10 – 11 were placed between the forts.
Advances in chemical and aeronautical technology soon rendered these forts obsolete. This happened shortly after their completion. Explosives and aerial bombardment made classical fortifications useless in modern warfare.
The Battle of Liege in 1914 alarmed Bucharest authorities. In this battle the German Army broke through Brialmont’s fortifications more easily than expected. The forts artillery pieces were quickly dismantled. These top-notch Krupp cannons were transformed into mobile artillery.
By 1916, the German Army approached Bucharest. The forts had already been abandoned. The city was taken without much difficulty. Today, the military has abandoned most of the forts including Bateria Nr. 10 – 11.
Some forts serve as shelter for stray dogs. Other reported uses include storage space and mushroom-growing facilities. These structures are deteriorating due to neglect. The city authorities are not doing anything to address the situation.
These forts could be a major tourist attraction. Paradoxically, many Bucharest citizens are unaware of their existence. This lack of awareness results from decades of low-quality education and disinterest in their heritage. Bateria Nr. 10 – 11 stands as a silent witness to a forgotten chapter in Bucharest’s history. It is a reminder of a time when the city prepared for a war that never truly tested its defenses.