Fort Bourguignon (Fort Monsival), Pula

Fort Bourguignon (Fort Monsival), Pula

Fort Bourguignon, originally called Fort Monsival, is a fortress built by the Austrian Empire. The construction of the fort began in 1861 and was completed in 1866. It was built to protect Pula harbor using design inspiration from an early-19th century fortress designed by Archduke Maximilian of Austria-Este.

The original fort had a roof that could rotate 360 degrees. A moat surrounded the fortress as did two caponiers. For Bourguignon used a drawbridge over the moat to gain access.

The fort was used during the Third Italian War of Independence in 1866. It was not used again until World War I when it served as an army shelter. Today it is a popular tourist attraction.

Fort Bourguignon was named in honor of Anton Bourguignon von Baumberg, an Austrian admiral who served as the main guardian of the city's military structures.

Bourguignon was in charge of organizing Pula's arsenal, which helped to strengthen the Austrian Empire naval fleet before the Third Italian War of Independence in 1866. Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria promoted him from the highest-ranking Austrian lieutenant to admiral in 1875. He is buried in the navy graveyard in Pula.

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Fort Bourguignon (Fort Monsival) on Map

Sight Name: Fort Bourguignon (Fort Monsival)
Sight Location: Pula, Croatia (See walking tours in Pula)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Pula, Croatia

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