The Czechoslovak Fortification Area Hlučín-Darkovičky

Alej, Obora and Orel, these are the poetic names of the forts that formed the fortifications of Czechoslovakia near Darkovičky near Hlučín. Today the forts are perfectly repaired and equipped with original weapons.

Regular demonstrations of what a clash between Czechoslovak and German troops might have looked like if the powers had not agreed in Munich that Czechoslovakia would leave the forts without a fight are also held in the Darkovičky area.

These bunkers are part of the exposition of the Silesian Museum in Opava, whose staff created from the destroyed remains of the bunkers the present-day European prized example of a defence system that was built relatively quickly between 1935 and 1938.

All three fortresses are examples not only of military strategy but also of the technical maturity of young Czechoslovakia. In addition to the weapons, i.e. assault rifles, machine guns and cannons of various calibres, visitors will also see the method of supplying the forts with drinking water or the filtration equipment, thanks to which the soldiers were able to survive even a chemical attack in the vicinity of the bunker.

The forts are complemented by a small infantry log, known as a ” řopík”, of which there are dozens more in the fields and forests around Opava. In Darkovičky, however, even this smallest bunker is fully armed and looks the same as it once did.

There is an educational trail around the fortifications, which takes visitors to other examples of fortifications that are being repaired by military history enthusiasts. The entire building is included in the Technotrail, which guides visitors through the technical monuments of the Moravian-Silesian Region.

If during your wanderings in Opava Silesia, you are eager to learn about history and want to see a European rarity, definitely go to Darkovičky. It’s not just an experience for boys.