Brest Fortress-hero
Brest Fortress was built in the 1830s-early 1840s at the meeting-point of the rivers Bug and Mukhavyets.
During construction, the entire town was relocated to a new position 2km away.
The site occupies more than four square km, although many of the outer defences were damaged or destroyed during the wars of the 20th century.
In 1941 the fortress was the first to take the German Army’s assault. Despite the enemy’s numerical superiority, the fortress had been holding firm for weeks and never gave up.
By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 8 May 1965 Brest fortress was awarded the honorary title “Fortress-hero” with the presentation of the Lenin order and the medal “Gold star”, which were placed on perpetual deposit in the museum of the memorial complex.
bayonet obelisk
The main monument
Kholmsk Gates
Eternal flame
the ruins of the former Engineering Board.
Ceremonial Square
St. Nicholas` church
Three tiers of granite gravestones
Kholmsk Gates
Kholmsk Gates
The radio announcer informs about the invasion of the German army.
The entry of the fortress represents a huge star cut into a concrete block.
the ruins of the White Palace
Ceremonial Square begins from the ruins of the White Palace.
As you walk up to the centre of the fortress you see “Thirst”, a large monument depicting an injured soldier trying to get some water from the river.
The monument reflects the bravery of the last remaining soldiers who defended the Fortress for many days without food or water.
The 100-m titanium-coated bayonet obelisk, a symbol of military bravery, can be seen from afar.
The main monument is 31.5 m in height and 50 m in width, made of reinforced concrete, towers over the ruins of the former Engineering Board.
Three tiers of granite gravestones are situated in the centre of the architectural complex. The remains of 962 people who died in the fortress lie under them. The names of 269 fortress defenders and members of their families are written on the gravestones. The others are mentioned as “unknown”.
Eternal flame is burning in front of the ruins of the former Engineering Board. P. M. Masherov, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist party of Byelorussia, a Hero of the Soviet Union, lit the eternal flame on the day of the inauguration
( 25 September 1971 ).
St. nicholas` church
St. Nicholas` church, which was handed to Brest/ Kobrin eparchy in 1994, is situated on the territory of the fortress. Requiem liturgies are chanted yearly on 22 June to honor those who died on that territory.
The Defence Hall of the Brest Hero Fortress Museum
The museum
People of all ages, convictions and trades come to the fortress, and few of them remain indifferent.
In opening pages of the history of the Great Patriotic war for the young generation, Brest fortress and its defenders have tenderly kept the memory of the past during all those years and helped treat the present with wisdom and responsibility.
Let’s check what you have learned?
1. Agree or disagree with the following statements
using the following phrases:
I (don’t) think that this statement is true…
I (don’t) agree with this statement…
I suppose, there is a mistake here…
I completely agree with this statement.
Agree or disagree:
1) 28 building and construction organizations sent their best specialists to erect the memorial.
2) The inauguration of the memorial complex “Brest fortress-hero” was held on 25 September 1971.
3) Three tiers of granite gravestones are situated in the suburb of the architectural complex.
4) By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of
15 May 1957 Brest fortress was awarded the honorary title “Fortress-hero” with the presentation of the Lenin order and the medal “Gold star”
5) The central alley leads to the Mukhavets River.
Agree or disagree:
6) One of the honorable visitors was writer
V. Zankovich, who was dedicated more than 12 years of his life to the search of fortress defenders.
7) By enactment of the Council of Ministers of the BSSR a creative group was founded in 1959 with the purpose of developing the project of the monument.
8) On the backside of the monument one can find bas-relief representing the most important episodes of the fortress defense.
9) During the years of the museum and the memorial the fortress has become a centre of military and patriotic upbringing.
10) Every year on the Victory day of 9 May people gather to pay the tribute to the dead and living participants of the Great Patriotic War.
Answer the questions:
1) When was Brest Fortress awarded with the honorary title “Fortress-hero”?
2. When was a creative group founded, what purpose did it have?
3) Who were in the creative group and who was the head of it?
4. How many building and construction organization sent their best specialists to erect the memorial?
5) When did the morning meeting take place?
6. When did the inauguration of the memorial complex take place?
7) Who was its honorable visitor?
Answer the questions:
8. How did the memorial complex look like?
9) How did the Main Entrance look like?
10. What can we see on the backside of the monument?
11) Where is the eternal flame burning?
12. What is written on the gravestones?
13) What can we see in the centre of the architectural complex?
14. What traditions are popular in Brest Fortress-hero?
15) Where is St. Nicholas` church situated?
Fill in the table with the events from the presentation
the honorary title “Fortress-hero”
8 May 1965
1967
a creative group was founded
18. 09. 1971
The morning meeting took place
25. 09. 1971
The inauguration of the memorial complex
9 May 1985
A memorial area of the cities-heroes was laid
St. Nicholas` church was handed to Brest/ Kobrin eparchy
1994
Since September 1995 Orthodox believers have been coming to find spiritual satisfaction there.
September 1995
Requiem liturgies are chanted yearly on 22 June to honor those who died on that territory.
22 June
269
The names of 269 fortress defenders and members of their families are written on the gravestones.
Work in groups.
Find out your partners:
- what they know about Brest Fortress-hero;
- what Brest Fortress-hero represented;
- what constructions it has on its territory.
SMILE!
Our lesson
is over!