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As the 2025 tourist season begins, the Bouda Artillery Fortress, an unusual historical site located in Těchonín in Czechia's Pardubice Region, welcomes visitors with a range of new exhibits and improvements.
Known for its key role in Czechoslovakia’s pre-WWII fortifications, the site is unveiling a fresh collection of artifacts, educational displays, and newly restored exhibition halls. In addition to these updates, the local government is seeking national heritage status for the site, which would further elevate its significance.
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The fortress, which is one of only five completed and the only one still preserved in its original form, is now an interesting stop for history enthusiasts and tourists. The site’s updates are part of an ongoing renovation effort to preserve and enhance the fortification’s appeal for future generations.
New exhibits highlight historical resilience
Among the major updates this year is the opening of a new exhibit in the munition hall M2, which focuses on the resilience of Czechoslovak fortifications during WWII. The exhibit highlights the various weapons tested on the fortress, offering visitors a chance to see German military equipment used in early 1938 trials, which prepared for operations such as a planned attack on Belgium.
Visitors can also explore the recently refurbished command hall KS 22, featuring original tables with detailed plans of the fortress, as well as short films that will help bring the history of the site to life.
The improvements also extend to the site’s infrastructure. Restored sections of the fortress’s access road now feature original guardrails, culverts, and reflective stones. Additional informational panels have been installed, helping visitors better understand the site’s complex history and its role in Czechoslovak defense efforts.
Restoration efforts preserve unique heritage
The Pardubice Region, the current owner of the Bouda Artillery Fortress, has continued to invest in preserving the site. Ongoing restoration work includes the completion of brick walls, installation of metal doors, and the repair of entrance gates.
The interiors are also being refurbished to restore their original look, including updates to the electrical, water, and ventilation systems. A major part of the project, funded in part by the Czech-Polish Interreg program, has a budget of approximately CZK 20 million, with CZK 17 million coming from EU funding.
The fortress stands as one of the largest and most robust military structures from the 1930s still accessible to the public. With five structures built to the highest defensive standards, the complex features 3.5-meter-thick reinforced concrete walls designed to withstand all known weapons of the time.
Beneath the surface, over 1,500 meters of tunnels and corridors connect the site, revealing an impressive scale not seen above ground. More information about the Bouda Artillery Fortress can be found at its official website.
