Stachelberg

The Stachelberg fortress (also known as Jěžová hora) is one of the largest fortresses in the Czech Republic. It was built as a complex of 12 bunkers between 1937 and 1938 as a Czechoslovak fort. However, the process of construction was stopped due to the Munich Agreement in 1938. Therefore, the fortress has never been finished.

Location
The Stachelberg fortress is located in Babí, between Trutnov and Žačléř. Moreover, there is Rýchovský prales (Virgin Forest) close to it. The place is frequently called the foot of the Krkonoše (also the Giant Mountains).

Purpose of its construction
The Stachelberg fortress was built as protection for Labavské sedlo (Saddleback), which is the land gate between the Krkonoše and Vraní hory. These places were usually a target of foreign armies and the Czech army led an attack on foreign armies from this place. However, the fortress has never been finished as it was already mentioned and nowadays it is used as an army museum.

Current situation
The museum in Stachelberg has been opened since 1993 and the owners expand the fortress every year. The last extension was accomplished in 2010, which extended the sightseeing for more than an hour. The visitors can see the whole of its underground barracks. The first owner of this fortress was Fortis company, which is located in Trutnov. However, the owner changed in 2005 and presently it is owned by the Stachelberg Civic Association, a group of enthusiasts, who consider their job a hobby and do it voluntarily. It is worth mentioning that the fortress is financed only by the visitors’ entrance fee and occasionally by donors, who are willing to help.

How to get there
There are a few options how to get there. Firstly, you can use a bus (from Trutnov to Žacléř). The final bus stop is called Babí-pevnost (Fortress) than you have to walk 300 m following the marked path. Secondly, you can use a car or a bike and use the road 300 from Trutnov to Žacléř. A car park can be found next to the bus stop (Babí-pevnost). The Stachelberg fortress is 10 km far from Trutnov and 5 km from Žacléř.

Lastly, you can go on foot using tourist trails. There are many of them, but the most used is the one from Trutnov over Zámecký vrch or you can begin your journey from the other side, Pomezní boudy over Albeřice and Rýchory.

Reference

 * 1) Czech Republic Land of Stories (2012) Stachelberg Fortress, [Online] Available at: http://www.czechtourism.com/c/stachelberg/  [Accessed 29 November 2013]
 * 2) M. Kejzlar, (2008) Opevnění na Trutnovsku, Fort print: Dvůr Králové nad Labem 2008
 * 3) Wikipedie, (2013) Stachelberg (dělostřelecká tvrz), [Online] Available at: http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stachelberg_(d%C4%9Blost%C5%99eleck%C3%A1_tvrz) [Accessed 29 November 2013]