Monostor Fortress

Monostor was built between 1850 and 1871 on the Danube at Komarom, after the Habsburgs had spent a difficult war being held up by the fortifications here, and it is enormous: earth ramparts and casemates covering around seventy hectares, with several kilometres of underground corridors, barracks for thousands and gun positions covering the river. It is often described as the largest surviving modern fortress in central Europe. Despite the effort it never saw combat, was used as a barracks and later as a Soviet ammunition depot until 1990, and is now open with guided tours through the tunnels, the casemates and the powder magazines. Sections remain unrestored and the scale is best understood from the ramparts.

What you actually see

• Kilometres of underground corridors - the casemate tunnels under the ramparts.
• Seventy hectares of earthworks - the scale seen from the ramparts.
• The powder magazines - the vaulted stores deep in the structure.
• A fortress never attacked - built for a war that did not come here.

When to go

April to October; the tunnels are cold year round and parts close in winter. Two to three hours. Underground sections are by guided tour only, at set times.

Honest expectations

Much of the site is unrestored, overgrown or fenced off. Tours are mostly in Hungarian. The tunnels are cold, damp and unlit in places. It is a long walk between sections with little shade.

Nearby

Komarom is east; Tata lies south.