Artillery Tower Turm Reduit in Głogów

Turm Reduit is a historic artillery tower in Głogów, popularly known as the barbican. It stands on Ostrów Tumski, west of the Głogów collegiate church, at the confluence of the Stara Odra and the Oder.

A structure of the Prussian army

The round, brick tower was built by Prussian forces in 1857-1860 as a reduit, that is, a tower-shaped inner redoubt. It had two above-ground storeys and a basement with a powder magazine and a well, today filled in and flooded with water. The lower storey held two projecting caponiers protecting the entrance, and the upper storey had casemate positions for artillery.

Role in the city's defence

The tower's task was to defend Głogów from the north and to secure the river against being forced. In 1945, during the siege of Głogów, it held positions for heavy anti-aircraft guns, and the building also served as a field hospital for German military units.

Practical information

• Location: Ostrów Tumski in Głogów, west of the collegiate church, at the confluence of the Stara Odra and the Oder
• The site is part of the former fortifications of the Głogów Fortress
• Current visiting arrangements and interior accessibility are worth checking at the Głogów tourist information office before your visit