Městské opevnění v Broumově Town walls

Welcome to Broumov. You are standing right in front of the torsion remnants of the city fortification, which form the historic corral of the ancient centre. Let me guide you through the history and secrets of these ancient walls, which have protected the city and the nearby monastery for centuries. Now raise your head and look around you. The historical core of Broumova lies on the natural edge above the right bank of the river Zonava and before you is a medieval plan of the so-called Silesian type, which is still defined by these massive, even partially preserved walls.

Let's go back together in time to when these walls began to write their story. The creation and development of fortifications are closely linked to the blooming of the entire region. The key moment occurred in 13300 forty eight, when the Czech king Charles the Fourth extended the right of the walls of the abbot in Broumov. It was this royal decision that allowed the construction of large-scale fortifications. The original medieval defense system was gradually supplemented and modified, partly in the early Baroque period. The city was not only entrusted with the wall itself, but with the whole building complex. In the past, two main gates led to the city, namely the Upper and Lower gates, which were supplemented by several smaller fortens and also bastions.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and the details you have right in front of you. The walls you are looking at represent an important reminder of the defensive construction of the past centuries. Notice how these stone structures were protected and amplified. The builders did not only use the wall height itself, but also helped themselves with artificial landscaping. In order to strengthen the defensive function, the parks and deep neck moats were also used to make access to the walls difficult for the enemy. Although only the torsion part of the whole system has been preserved until today, the monument still carries a strong genius loci and speaks of the strategic importance of Broumova.

Important historical figures are associated with this place. The already mentioned King Charles the Fourth, with his decision, has essentially signed under the form and security of the city. Later, in the nineteenth century, Karel Wischin also intervened in the fates of the fortifications. In fact, the second half of the nineteenth century brought about major changes that led to the demise of the original gates. In the year eighteen hundred twenty-six, the Lower Gate finally died, and more than half a century later, in the year eighteen hundred and eighty, it was followed by the Upper Gate, which changed the form of the city forever.

But the walls here have found new applications after their military decommissioning. A beautiful example is the year eighteen hundred and eighty-five, when the so-called Spa Fortna was sensitively adapted to the prospect of a parapet. This place thus began to serve people to walk and admire the surrounding countryside instead of reflecting enemy attacks. The fact that these ancient walls are of incalculable value also shows that already in nineteen hundred and fifty-eight parts of the preserved fortification were officially listed on the list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic.

In conclusion, I would like to invite you to further explore Broumov. Go along the walls, see the atmosphere of a place where medieval Gothic meets with baroque influences, and let yourself breathe history tightened in stone. Thank you for your attention, I believe you enjoy the tour of the city, and I bid you farewell.