17. Bateria Artylerii Stałej

Hidden among the dense forests on the Baltic Sea coast is an interesting monument of military engineering — the 17th Stationary Artillery Battery. This site, located near the resort town of Międzyzdroje, represents a complex of powerful reinforced concrete fortifications erected in the mid-20th century.

Today, this place attracts history buffs and "urbex" enthusiasts. Here you can see preserved bunkers, command posts, and firing positions that were once part of the coastal defense system. The atmosphere of mystery and the monumentality of the structures make a walk here unforgettable.

Visiting the battery allows you to touch the recent past of Poland and appreciate the scale of military preparations during the Cold War. It is not a classic museum with display cases, but rather an open-air museum where the exhibits are the walls themselves and nature, gradually reclaiming territory from the concrete.

For those planning to visit this historic site, it is useful to know its exact location. Since this fortification is located in a forest zone, the postal address is indicative for navigation.

The main activity here is exploring the fortifications. Visitors can wander freely among the massive concrete blocks, inspect bunker entrances, and imagine how artillery service was organized half a century ago. This is a great opportunity for fans of industrial tourism to see authentic sites without modern fences and ticket booths.

Photography enthusiasts will find plenty of textured subjects here: the combination of gray concrete, rusty metal, and bright forest greenery creates a special post-apocalyptic ambiance. It is also worth simply enjoying a walk through the picturesque forest surrounding the battery, breathing in the fresh sea air for which this coast is famous.

You can get to the 17th Stationary Artillery Battery by combining the trip with a pleasant walk. The site is located in a wooded area west of the city center. If you like hiking, follow the red tourist route, which leads along the coast through a picturesque forest.

For those who prefer transport, it is most convenient to take a taxi from the center of Międzyzdroje. Ask the driver to drop you off as close as possible to the forest paths leading to the military sites. By private car, you can drive to the nearest parking lots on the outskirts of the city, and then continue on foot, guided by maps or a navigator.

The history of this place is closely linked to the Cold War period, when protecting maritime borders was of paramount importance. The 17th Battery was built in the 1950s as part of the coastal defense system. Its main task was to cover the entrance to the port of Świnoujście and protect the coast from a possible amphibious landing.

The engineering solution of the complex is impressive in its thoroughness. Powerful reinforced concrete bunkers, command posts, and positions for 130mm artillery guns were erected here. A feature of the site is its camouflage: the structures were integrated into the landscape in such a way as to remain invisible from the sea and air.

Over time, military doctrine changed, and the need for such stationary batteries disappeared. The facility was decommissioned, and the guns were dismantled or mothballed. Today, these concrete giants serve as silent witnesses to a bygone era, gradually merging with the surrounding nature.

For a full tour of the area, it is usually enough to allocate one to two hours. This time is sufficient to leisurely walk around the main preserved structures, look inside the accessible bunkers, and take atmospheric photos.

If you plan to study every object in detail or combine the visit with a picnic in the forest, it is worth setting aside half a day for the visit. Also consider the walking time, as the walk through the forest to the battery is an adventure in itself.

Since the 17th Stationary Artillery Battery is a freely accessible site located in a forest zone, it does not have strictly fixed opening hours. You can visit this place at any convenient time.

However, for safety and ease of viewing, it is strongly recommended to plan your visit during daylight hours. The lack of artificial lighting makes walking through the bunkers and forest in the dark unsafe. Before the trip, we also advise checking current information on local tourist portals.

Exploring the surroundings of Międzyzdroje can significantly enrich your travel impressions. After inspecting the military fortifications, it is worth paying attention to other historical and entertainment sites located nearby. Here you can find both traces of old architecture and places for active family recreation.