Strač

The most modern fortification built in BiH, the Strač Fortress (designated as Werk Strač or Werk Srač 2 on K.u.K. war maps; because of pronunciation difficulties, some toponyms were written and pronounced differently (Strač - Srač)). This fortification was made entirely of reinforced concrete and had two domes with 100 mm howitzers, as well as a metal rotating dome for machine guns and cannon fire correction, including artillery instruments such as range finders. The fortification is built into a steep conical hill. As you approach it, the large three-storey barracks is seen built into a deep artificial recess in the rock. You can take a path to the armoured battery that takes up the length of the crest. Concrete was laid down for four M 0.9 domes for 100 mm howitzers. Two rotating domes were installed at the sides for a heavy machine gun and an observatory, making it possible to engage in close-range defence and control the main artillery fire. Close-range defence also required several armoured cloches for heavy machine guns along the edge of the battery, of which only one survives, with two openings for two heavy machine guns. The opening in the back was reinforced with strong armour. There is no information about the other domes, but it is assumed that some had never been installed and that they were temporarily replaced by machine gun nests. The armoured elements preserved here did not survive on other fortified locations. The greater part of the fortification was surrounded by a deep ditch cut into the rock that was meant to be protected by steep, sharp counterscarps armed with 60 mm cannons. However, this part of the fortification was never completed. The fortress was armed with two 100 mm cannons, two smaller cannons, 24 machine guns, and had 12 searchlights.

The Strač Fortress on the southern front was the only “new structure” for this line of defence. It was built between 1910 and 1916 in order to protect the south-east border in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the Dvrsnik fortress, which was being built at the same time north of Risno in Montenegro, the south-east part of Herzegovina and neighbouring Krivošije in Dalmatia were partially secured for their own operations until the other fortifications could be completed. In 1908, a local commission contacted four reservoir factories for Trebinje. The Strač fortification, the least protected from field artillery, used as its main armoured defence four self-propelled 100 mm howitzers and machine guns. Their number was sufficient to withstand attacks from artillery located in the vicinity. Already in 1909, the sum of 170,000 crowns was approved for initial works and construction of the access road began that same year. A decree from 1912 finally determined that Strač would be armed with two M9 howitzers. By way of compromise on account of the lesser scope of armament, the subsequent installation of two turret howitzers of 100mm or 150mm should have been possible in the battery block. All parts of the fortification were supposed to be able to resist large calibre projectiles. That same year, it was decided that a searchlight of 120 cm in diameter would be needed, which required only minor modifications of the structure. A Škoda tractor was used in the construction works to transport heavy loads, having already proven to be efficient at the Dvrsnik construction site. This fortification was armed with two 100 mm cannons, two smaller cannons, 24 machine guns and 12 searchlights. On top of this structure are four steel domes, their bases half built and half cut into the stone. The domes were pulled up using the ‘Austrian Daimler’ artillery tractor. The soldiers had a diesel generator for electricity.

Strač was modelled after similar fortifications in Italy and it was meant to provide protection from cannons of calibre up to 240 mm. The fortification was constructed with concrete, which was modern at the time. The dimensions of Strač are approximately 150 by 100 meters. Despite delays due to the Balkan crisis of 1912/1913, the Strač fortification was expected to be completed at the latest by the end of the planned construction period in 1915. When in 1914 war broke out, the head of construction for Strač, General Ferdinand Zahradnik, reported that construction works were not yet completed. Since the works were focused on defence, the battery block, including the observatories and ammunition storage, was ready for use. Even though the Trebinje fortress was ready for warfare and close to the front in neighbouring Montenegro, construction works continued and were completed in the summer of 1915. The operation of a mechanical system for directing powerful searchlights was enabled and it was used together with the howitzer battery. The traditional battery was improvised on the right flank using already delivered M10 60 mm cannons. Official records indicate that the last Austrian military crew stationed at Strač included five officers and 157 soldiers, with Ferdinand Zahradnik as their commander. Strač was used for military purposes also after the Second World War. In the 1960s, the Strač and Dvrsnik fortifications were given to waste collection and management companies. Demolition works were initiated, the floors and ceiling beams were removed. Despite the damage that was caused, the Strač Fortress continues to be an attractive building with great tourism potential, not just because of the unique preserved domes for Austro-Hungarian M9 howitzers, but also because of its excellent geographical location and the impressive view it offers not just of the whole of Trebinje, but also the eastern border with Montenegro, the edge of Konavle and the Dubrovnik County in Croatia, while to the west, one can see the meandering Trebišnjica river before it disappears into Popovo field. The other fortresses of this unique military complex can also be seen from Strač.

4K video - Strač

This project is supported by the Interreg ADRION Programme funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and IPA II fund

Map of the city and towers

Strač