Beneath the fortified city Terezín (CZ) lies one of Europe’s most sophisticated historical defensive systems. Recent research has provided a detailed mapping of this underground network, revealing its complexity and engineering brilliance. The study was conducted as part of a project supported by the Czech Ministry of Culture and led by Steinmetz Terezín 1780, an organization known for its historical reenactments, and is available in English for free. The resulting publication presents a detailed overview of Terezín’s underground system, both historically and technically. According to the report:

“It was here that suitable terrain conditions allowed Austrian engineers and miners to design what they considered to be the ‘perfect’ system, which has survived to this day.”

Future studies will focus on the underground tunnels of Josefov, the another Czech fortified ideal city with. There, the nwtwork of 45km-long tunnels combine the original plans of the engineer Querlond with modifications made by Austrian military engineers, resulting in a unique historical site. Visitors can currently explore parts of Josefov’s underground, including Bastion No. I and the spaces known as Cornichons and Place d’Armes.

Terezín’s underground network offers a rare glimpse into 18th-century military architecture and remains one of Central Europe’s most remarkable historical engineering achievements. Additional information about Steinmetz Terezín 1780 and their projects can be found here: 👉 Steinmetz Terezín 1780 – Our Work