Fort Monostor (Monostori erod), Komarom

Perhaps the best preserved modern-age military complex in Central Europe, it is an architectural and military masterpiece. The largest part of a system of fortifications at Komárom has been called the 'Gibraltar of the Danube'.

The fort was built between 1850 and 1871. A single interconnected series of buildings, it consists of 14 sections and some 640 rooms.

The complex was designed by Austrian military engineers on the basis of the most modern architectural and military principles of the age. Accordingly, high embankments protect the buildings and ramparts. With the exception of a single point, it is entirely invisible from outside. An unknowing stranger may easily walk past it without even noticing it. The fort can only be seen from the road approaching the entrance and once having entered through the gates, only buildings resembling barracks are revealed to the eye. Most of the ramparts are invisible even from inside.

The tallest building is the Commander's Tower (Parancsnoki torony). This is visible from the Danube and is indeed a frightening sight with its 78 cannon embrasures. It was probably this view and the tremendous firepower that could be surmised to be contained within that inspired the nickname of 'Gibraltar of the Danube'. Back in its day it was indeed worthy of the name as it was able to keep the entire width of the Danube under fire and hence sealed off.

Its walls and vaults were built of bricks laid in quicklime and the exterior received a limestone cyclopean finish. Openings have stone frames and the stairs were carved of red marble from Süttő. From an architectural perspective, the brickwork and stonework throughout the fort reveal superb craftsmanship: the curving brick vaults over spiral staircases and the brick barrel vaults of the individual rooms are a sight to behold. The layout of the earthworks of the fort deserves a separate study.

Detailing military life in Komárom, the exhibition entitled 'Castles, Fortresses and Soldiers' (Várak, erődök, katonák) is one of the fort's main attractions, alongside the numerous events to which it plays host.

Between 15th March and 15th November, guided tours are available on Mondays, while between 16th November and 14th of March, guided tours must be arranged in advance.