Arad Fortress, Crisana

Arad Fortress - details and images

The current city of Arad is one of the most important historical monuments existing at present in the area west of the country.
High in the second half of the eighteenth century, the city was considered one of the most impressive military fortification that time.

Arad city plan was personally approved by Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II. New city of Arad, in accordance with imperial plan, had to replace the old city of Arad and meet military point of view of contemporary art.

As the building was chosen instead of a peninsula Mures (left bank) which gave the city a military authorities. The construction of the fortress, at that time, the problem was related to relocation Zimand plain city, as those in the city to have the open fire. Resistance population and calls to Vienna caused the suspension of this idea.

City Building, the work of architect Harsch, began in the summer of 1763, after Vauban system and is a double star-shaped building with six corners, strong walls of defense, pillboxes and other military buildings. The work lasted 20 years, with minor interruptions caused mainly by lack of manpower, so the fortress was completed in 1783. After finishing work in the city were placed various military units and thus Arad became a military-political center of Austrian domination in the area.

History of the city in more than 200 years of existence, is linked to important events. During Korea's Revolution in 1784, the city was one of the centers of action of the imperial troops against the rebels. In the Napoleonic wars the city weather kept many prisoners were French. After the revolution of 1848, the city pillboxes were imprisoned and condemned many revolutionaries including Murgu Eftimie. With the end of the nineteenth century, changing the strategic concept, the city lost its importance becomes a simple barracks.

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