Borisov. Ground batteries of 1812

Many consider these fortifications to be French, or that they were built during the war with Napoleon. But, in fact, the main construction work began on the eve of the war of 1812.

Fortifications on batteries were created only earthen, the so-called field type, and stone ones were not provided. The batteries were designed for a garnison of up to 20,000 people. Two square redoubts were located on the flanks, which were connected by a relay with a bastion in the center and two semi-bastions. There was another bastion in front of the rear front and looked at the bridge over the Berezina River. After all, the main task of the fortifications was to control the river crossing. Just before the war, a six-hundred-meter bridge was built. Part of the bridge was lifting, which was necessary for the passage of ships. The bridge at that time was on the very spot where the pedestrian bridge is now. Before the war, the work on the fortifications was nearing completion, but there was still no permanent garrison. The commander of the fortifications was Colonel Alexander Gresser, who had 400 soldiers in obedience. In July 1812, in order to avoid encirclement, Gresser ordered cannons to be sunk in the river and the bridge burned, and he and the garrison retreated to the city of Mogilev.

When the French came, the bridge was rebuilt. Further military actions did not cause significant damage to the batteries. After the war, they were finally completed.

In Soviet times, at the beginning of the 20th century, part of the fortifications was demolished and a hospital was built in their place. In the post-war period, a memorial was created and a commemorative stele was installed. A convenient reinforced concrete staircase leads uphill from the Berezina River to the batteries.