Archaeologists working on the construction site of the S52 express road, specifically the Northern Kraków Bypass, have uncovered remnants of the Austrian Kraków Fortress, dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. This fortress, established after 1848 and expanded until 1914, was a crucial element in the defensive network of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The findings are located in the Silesian and Lesser Poland voivodeships. Among the findings are remnants of earthworks, moats, and infrastructure associated with military installations. These findings contribute significantly to knowledge about the late 19th and early 20th-century military engineering projects and the role of Kraków Fortress leading up to the Kraków Battle in 1914.
Notably, Fort No. 44 “Tonie,” identified as one of the main artillery forts within the Kraków Fortress system, was meticulously examined, allowing for the reconstruction of its earthworks and boundaries.
One of the remarkable discoveries was a large shelter or dugout, measuring 25 meters by 7.5 meters and approximately 3.7 meters deep, likely used by infantry soldiers. Dendrological studies indicated that the shelter’s construction utilized wood from common fir and ordinary pine trees felled in the early 20th century.
In addition to Fort “Tonie,” remnants of other fortification elements were found in various locations along the construction site. These included field batteries, trenches, and shelters, all contributing to the defensive network designed to protect Kraków and its surroundings. The discoveries provide evidence of soldiers’ daily lives, with artifacts such as tin enamel cups bearing the imperial eagle insignia of Austria.
Kacper Michna from the Kraków branch of the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways said, “The findings turned out to be a significant complement to the knowledge about the functioning of the Kraków Fortress at the end of the 19th century and on the eve of the events related to the Kraków battle taking place in the autumn of 1914.”
Collaborations between archaeological teams and government agencies like the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) have facilitated these discoveries. The Northern Kraków Bypass, a 12.3-kilometer section of the express road, is nearing completion, with over 91 percent of the work already finished.
As the construction progresses, efforts to document and preserve archaeological findings continue.
