Editor's Note: These are courtesy translations of local news provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Poland Public Affairs team for the benefit the military community stationed here. Views or opinions are not endorsed by USAG Poland or the U.S. Army.
Learn about the history of the "Toruń Fortress" and take a walk of Torun modernism
Registration for the "Fortress Toruń" walking tour has started. The event is part of the "I love Toruń - Discover Toruń anew" campaign, which will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 10 a.m.
The Toruń Fortress is an impressive complex of 19th-century fortifications. It consists of numerous forts, bunkers and other defensive structures, which create one of the most powerful fortification systems in Poland.
The walking route will allow participants to discover Toruń's former military power. There will be an opportunity to visit the Toruń Fortress Museum, located in the former barracks of the Chełmno Gate. The museum exhibition presents the history of Toruń's fortifications and the everyday life of soldiers stationed in the fortress.
The rally will also be an opportunity to learn about the fascinating military history of the city, but it will also give you the opportunity to spend time in the bosom of nature, as some of the facilities are located in picturesque corners of the city. The walk will be led by an expert in the history of the Toruń Fortress, Adam Kowalkowski.
The event is organized by the Tourism Development Office and the GoSport Association!
The walking tour starts on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Toruń Fortress Museum, ul. Wały gen. Sikorskiego 23.
Participation in the event is free of charge.
Registration for the walking tour in the footsteps of Toruń modernism has started. The event, part of the "I Love Toruń - Discover Toruń anew!" campaign, will take place on April 4, 2025. Participation is free of charge.
The walk will be led by an expert in the history of Toruń, guide Paweł Bukowski. The start of the walking tour - Friday, April 4, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the headquarters of the Regional Directorate of State Forests at 9 Mickiewicza Street. Participation in the event is free of charge. Registration is required - link to registration .
The architecture of interwar Toruń is an interesting and rich review of the aesthetic tendencies and attitudes of the time, and among the constructed buildings one can find many realizations of a high level of architectural form. The modern character of interwar Toruń was a consequence of construction activity related to the city's function as the capital of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Toruń modernism, similarly to other Polish cities, was a reaction to neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau, which dominated in the 19th century, as well as to eclecticism, which was a transitional style. Toruń modernism is simple forms and geometric shapes, functionalism, a tendency to design buildings in a way that aimed to maximize the use of space and improve the comfort of residents. During the modernism period, Toruń architects were eager to reach for new materials, such as concrete, steel, glass or plasters with a smooth texture, which were a sign of modernity and technical progress. Toruń modernism is architecture that combined modern ideas with social needs, and at the same time was a response to the challenges of contemporary urban planning and technology.
Welcome spring on the tram in Torun
On March 21, 2025, the first day of calendar spring, the spring-summer tram of the Municipal Transport Company begins operating. Where and when will it set off on the Toruń tracks to chase away the winter? Below are a handful of details.
The spring-summer tram of the MZK in Toruń is a unique attraction that aims to put residents and tourists in a cheerful mood. At the same time, it is the first such tram in Poland that combines the joy of spring awakening and the energy of the coming summer. What will it look like? It's a surprise!
The inaugural run of the spring-summer tram will take place – because what else – on the first day of spring, March 21. We start on route no. 1 at 11:50 a.m. from the Olimpijska P&R loop and go to the Uniwersytet loop . There will be no shortage of delicious fudges – MZK-ówki and other sweets along the way, as well as small spring gifts and surprises!
On March 21, until the end of the day, the spring-summer tram will run on route no. 1 as a regular scheduled tram in the public transport network. Then, until September 22, i.e. the end of summer, it will be possible to meet it on various routes. Rides on the colorful tram are paid, according to the applicable transport tariff.
We invite everyone to take part in the inaugural course on March 21! Together we will drive away the winter and invite the sun to Toruń!
Celebration of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment in Bolesławiec
We are beginning the ceremonial celebration of the Bolesławiec military unit's day.
The Commander of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment cordially invites all supporters to the ceremonial celebration of the Bolesławiec military unit, which will take place on March 19-21, 2025 in Bolesławiec. This event will be an excellent opportunity to get closer to military tradition, as well as to honor the work and dedication of soldiers who serve in the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment on a daily basis
Celebration program:
- March 19, 2025 - Holy Mass with Military Honor Guard
The celebrations will begin on March 19 at 6 p.m., when a Mass will be held at the Basilica of Our Lady at ul. Kościelna 1 with the participation of the Military Honorary Assistance. It will be a time of prayer and reflection on the service and dedication of soldiers. The mass will be led by a military chaplain, and the presence of the honorary assistance will emphasize the importance of the event.
- March 20, 2025 - Military picnic and ceremonial roll call
The following day, March 20, at 11 a.m., a military picnic will be held at Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square, during which you will be able to admire modern military equipment. This is a great opportunity to see the army's equipment up close and learn about the specifics of military service. At 1 p.m., a ceremonial roll call will be held at the same square, which will be the formal crowning of the celebrations. During the roll call, distinguished soldiers will be recognized and the unit's activities to date will be summarized.
- March 21, 2025 - Concert of the Military Orchestra from Żagań
At the end of the celebrations, on March 21 at 10 a.m. in the Forum cinema hall at 1c Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square, there will be a concert by the Military Orchestra from Żagań. This event will provide all participants with unforgettable musical experiences and allow them to feel the atmosphere of military traditions. Admission to the concert will be possible after collecting tickets at the Forum cinema box office.
Celebrations of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment are a great opportunity to get closer to military tradition and learn more about this esteemed unit. We cordially invite everyone to participate in these exceptional events!
Spring events for the weekend in Żagań and the surrounding area! There will be Żagań Cross and other attractions! 22-23.03.2025
A wonderful, sunny start to the week awaits us, with temperatures of up to 17 degrees Celsius! It will only become cloudy on Sunday, March 23, 2025, but it will still be warm. It is worth going for a walk, to the plot, but also to an interesting event! If you know of events that are not in the program and are worth recommending, write in the comments.
Friday, March 21, 2025 in Żagań
- Elektrownia Music Club invites you to a concert by San Quentin and Klangor at 8 p.m. Tickets: 40 and 50 PLN.
Friday, March 21, 2025 in Małomice
- The Małomicki Cultural Centre invites you at 9:30 a.m. to welcome spring at the reservoir. There will be a spring parade, a Marzanna competition, games, fun and a spring parade.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 in Żagań
- 9 a.m. a running group from Żagań invites you to a 5 km parkrun. Start in the moat under the palace.
- From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. spring cleaning in Żagań. Mayor Sławomir Kowal invites you to the event. At 2 p.m. gathering at the observation tower on Queen Jadwiga Square, at 4 p.m. barbecue at Willa Park.
Żagań Cross and the Great Escape celebrations. When and what will happen?
In March 2025, Żagań will celebrate the 81st anniversary of the Great Escape from the Sagan POW camp. The celebrations will be preceded by the 49th edition of the Żagań Cross on the former camp grounds.
March is the month of the Great Escape for Żagań. The Great Escape from the POW camp in Sagan (today's Żagań) took place on the night of 24-25 March 1944. Initially, only 200 POWs managed to escape through the 111-metre Harry tunnel behind the barbed wire. Ultimately, 80 pilots took part in the escape. Only three managed to escape to freedom: two Norwegians, Second Lieutenant Jens Muller and Sergeant Per Bergsland. They reached Szczecin, from where sailors transported them to Sweden. The Dutchman Bram van der Stok reached Utrecht, from where the resistance movement transferred him to Great Britain.
The fugitives were murdered
Hitler issued the order "Sagan Befehl", according to which all those captured were to be murdered. Supposedly while trying to escape. Hermann Göring was supposed to intercede for them. Thanks to this, the number of those shot was reduced to fifty. The Germans created a special execution unit, created from the Gestapo, to kill the escapees. Around 30 of them were shot in the vicinity of Iłowa. The rest of the heroes lost their lives in other places.
Among the murdered were also six Polish pilots, immortalized in a mural on the wall of the POW Camp Museum in Żagań:
- Major Naval Antoni Kiewnarski,
- Lt. Pilot Stanisław Król,
- Lt. Włodzimierz Kolanowski,
- Lt. Jerzy T. Mondschein,
- Lt. Kazimierz Pawluk,
- Lt. Paweł Tobolski.
Celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Great Escape in Żagań
The celebrations will take place on Monday, March 24, 2025. At 12 p.m., at the POW monument, in front of the POW Camp Museum, a solemn roll call will be held, with the participation of soldiers of allied armies.
Żagań Cross in the forest
The 49th Cross Żagański for the Great Escape Cup will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025. An additional attraction during the Cross will be a traditional military picnic on the museum grounds, which will start at 11 a.m.
1 p.m. escapee's cross - obstacle course
3 p.m. cross kids run
6 p.m. Main race over a distance of 10 km (2 loops of 5 km), which leads along forest and field roads, excluding public asphalt roads. About 5 percent of the route is a concrete road behind the Żagań Railway Station. Crossowa Piątka – route as above – participants finish the race after one loop. Children's and youth race – the competition takes place on a loop about 700 meters long, which leads along forest and field roads. For the younger ones, the starting line is located halfway through the loop. Cross Uciekiniera – a route with obstacles over a distance of about 2.5 km. The start is located in the exhibition room of the replica of barracks 104. The route also includes 30 meters in the replica of the Harry tunnel.
Joanna Training Ground in Żagań with a new tactical belt - packed with technology for special tasks
"Joanna" modernized! This is a military, training ground tactical belt at the Land Forces Training Ground in Żagań. The investor of the project was the District Infrastructure Board in Zielona Góra.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the army organized a ceremonial handover of the modernized Joanna tactical belt. How does the rebuilt belt differ from the old one? - It is deeper and safer for those training - say soldiers.
Modern training ground in Żagań
- Preparation for the exercises used to take a lot of time - noted junior warrant officer Mariusz Ryś from the Land Forces Training Center Żagań. - Everything was radio-controlled, and now it's computer-controlled.
Colonel Robert Borejko, head of the District Infrastructure Board in Zielona Góra, compared the training ground to the one in Drawsko. - There are 1,880 targets on Joanna, which is more than in Drawsko.
What did the reconstruction of the tactical belt involve?
- The reconstruction consisted of a comprehensive modernization of the existing infrastructure - explains Captain Magdalena Czekatowska from the Land Forces Training Center Żagań. - The construction of a modern observation tower with full logistics support and modern technological solutions.
The modernization project included, among other things, the construction of modern training stations, protective and storage facilities, as well as improving the communication system and technical support. An important element of the modernization was also the adjustment of the direction of shooting, which minimizes the risk of projectiles leaving the training ground.
Improving security in the Żagań district
The handover of the tactical belt was attended by, among others, the Żagań district head Anna Michalczuk. - Every investment aimed at improving security in our district is important and valuable - the district head emphasized. - Including the one at the training ground.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the General Staff of the Polish Army, the Inspectorate of Support for the Armed Forces, the General Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces, local government officials and guests.
On the occasion of the transfer of the tactical belt, it was possible to see from above the tanks training on the range. The entire investment cost about PLN 100 million.
The Great Żagań-Świętoszów Military Training Ground
The military training ground between Żagań and Świętoszów was established in 1898 by the von Dohna family (the Dohna spring still exists in Żagań today). In 1905, it covered 5,000 hectares. During World War II, soldiers of the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, Waffen-SS and Abwehr trained there. After World War II, soldiers of the Red Army and the Polish People's Army trained there.
In 1992, after the Russian army left Świętoszów, both parts of the training ground were connected, creating the largest training ground complex in the country at that time. The area of the Land Forces
Training Center in Żagań is 21,407 acres.
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