The Brest Fortress is a monument of architecture of the 19th century. It was built in 1830-1842 as part of the fortification system on the western border of the Russian Empire. An arsenal building, engineering administration, the White Palace and a garrison church were situated inside the Citadel.
Four gates - Brestsky, Holmsky, Terespolsky, Bialystoksky - with the bridges connected the Citadel with Terespol, Kobryn and Volyn local fortifications, surrounded by the by-pass channels and a 10 m high defence rampart. There were stone casemates within the ramparts. On June 22, 1941 the fortress was the first to confront the German Army. It held the line for over a month. The fortress was severely damaged during the war.
After World War II, the Museum of the Brest Fortress Defence was established in the defence barracks of the Citadel. In 1965, the fortress was conferred upon the title of the Hero Fortress. The Brest Hero-Fortress memorial complex including the sculptural and architectural ensemble, preserved buildings and the ruins of fortifications was opened in 1971.
