Dělostřelecká tvrz Skutina

About the museum

The Skutina artillery fort was to be built on the Skutina hill near Sedloňov in the Orlické hory mountains, as part of Czechoslovakia’s border fortifications of 1935–1938. Six structures were planned (N-S 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 and 52a), with a main underground corridor 1,350 metres long, an artillery turret with two 10 cm howitzers and a garrison of 464 men. The construction was carried out by the Prague firm Dr. Karel Skorkovský; work began on 14 December 1937 and was definitively stopped on 30 September 1938. Only two infantry bunkers, N-S 48 and N-S 49, were completed; the rest of the fort, including the underground section, remained in various stages of unfinished construction.

Bunker N-S 48 “U stodol” was concreted in July 1938 and was briefly occupied by a temporary garrison in September 1938. During the occupation the embrasures were torn out of the bunker, and the structure was largely flooded. From 1999 the bunker was restored by the Friends of Skutina Fort club, which pumped out the water, cleaned and repaired it. It was opened to the public in 2001 as part of the museum of Czechoslovak fortifications.

Visitors descend 201 steps to a depth of 36 metres, and see the stairwell with the lift shaft, around nine metres of concreted underground corridor, and a view into the excavated corridor towards bunker N-S 49. The exhibition is supplemented by period photographs, materials and three-dimensional exhibits. The fort is now run by the association Tvrz Skutina, z. s. (registered association).

Highlights

• descent of 201 steps to a depth of 36 metres
• infantry bunker N-S 48 “U stodol”, restored since 1999
• unfinished underground section of the artillery fort, built 1937–1938
• period photographs, materials and three-dimensional exhibits
• tours every full hour

Permanent exhibition

• Muzeum československého opevnění ve srubu N-S 48 „U stodol“ – The tour includes period photographs, materials and three-dimensional exhibits, and a descent into the unfinished underground of the fort to a depth of 36 metres.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Tvrz Skutina, z. s.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tour goes down a staircase of 201 steps to a depth of 36 metres.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The best way to reach the fort is by car from Dobruška, Sedloňov, Sněžné or Olešnice v Orlických horách.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit