Brest Fortress was built in the middle of the XIX century on the site of the ancient border town of Brest-Litovsk. The very nature here has been defined place impregnable defensive structure: the river Mukhovets two arms flows into the Bug, forming surrounded on all sides by water island. During its long history, the island several times passed from hand to hand from state to state, so changed his name: birch bark, Brest Litovsk, Brest-over-Bug, Brest.

The idea to build on the site of the city of Brest Litovsk impregnable fortress was born back in 1797. It was first suggested by Major General Franz Devolan. Napoleonic Wars strengthened the intention of the authorities of the Russian Empire built in Brest-Litovsk fortress. Who came to power Nicholas I made the task of building fortifications priority, however, is the idea of ​​how to strengthen the great trading city for a long time was not.

In 1830 he was drafted, according to which almost the whole city to move to a new place, civilian buildings were demolished and in their place erected entirely a military fortress. It was an unprecedented case in which the decision of the military authorities of the city, numbering centuries-old history, is completely erased from the face of the earth. The author of the project was the engineer-general KI Opperman. However, the project has been revised several times. The first stone of the future of the Brest Fortress was founded June 1, 1836 only.

Construction of the fortress was completed in 1842. They led the Major General of Engineering Troops II Den. The fortress consisted of three fortifications of the Citadel, and to protect the Citadel from all sides: Volyn (from the south) Terespol (west), Kobrin (east and north). The total area of ​​the fortress was more than 400 hectares. Outside, she was surrounded by an earthen rampart 10-meter-high brick casemates inside and bypass channel filled with water. Accommodate the fortress could up to 12 thousand soldiers.

In 1864 it was decided to upgrade the castle. The reconstruction was carried out under the direction of the Adjutant General EI Totleben. The fortress walls were reinforced in view of the power of new artillery shells on the Kobrin fortifications were constructed two redoubts, built casemated artillery batteries, caponiers additional powder magazines.

Since then, the fortress several times rebuilt and strengthened in an effort to keep up with advances in military affairs so as to remain inaccessible and sustain any defense.

In World War I during the rapid onset of the Kaiser's army in 1915, and given the unfortunate examples of other defense forts, the government decided to evacuate the Brest Fortress. Thus, the castle did not take over the functions to which it was prepared.

March 3, 1918, when the takeover of the Russian Bolsheviks was not up to the war with the Kaiser, in the White Palace Brest Fortress was awarded the infamous Brest-Litovsk, under which Russia lost 780,000 square kilometers of its territory and 56 million citizens. History has not spared the White Palace. Now in its place in ruins basements.

In 1918, Poland declared its independence. As part of the young state was also the Brest Fortress. The fortress housed the Polish military units. September 1, 1939, the Second World War. The forces of Nazi Germany invaded Poland. September 17th Division 76th Infantry Regiment of the German army captured the Brest Fortress. September 22, 1939 Brest fortress was handed over to the Soviet Union.

June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union. Brest Fortress the first blow came under a barrage of artillery fire. However, despite the elaborate plan, the Germans stumbled upon the desperate resistance of the defenders of the Brest Fortress. The Brest fortress was destroyed by water, food and ammunition depots. The defenders were separated, there was no communication, there was no unity of command. About the resilience and courage of the Soviet soldiers were born legends supported the morale of those who fought in the war.