In January 2026, the Wrocław City Council adopted a new local spatial development plan covering Bastion Sakwowy. Interestingly and importantly, the document allows for the reconstruction of the historic, currently missing belvedere with a gloriette, which towered over the entire area before World War II. The councillors’ decision creates the legal basis for the possible reconstruction of the building, although the city still has several formal and organisational steps to take.
New local plan for the Sakwowy Bastion
During the January session of the city council, a local spatial development plan prepared for the area of the Sakwowy Bastion was voted on. The document was drawn up in consultation with the Lower Silesian conservator of monuments and allows for the reconstruction of the historic belvedere topped with a gloriette. Previous regulations did not allow for the construction of new buildings in this area, which is why the return of this architectural landmark has remained out of reach until now. However, the resolution does not mean that construction work will begin immediately. First, it will be necessary to prepare the design documentation, obtain a building permit and raise the funds needed to implement the project.
The Sakwowy Bastion and the missing element of the hill
In recent years, the hill has undergone extensive work. Among other things, the peristyle pavilion, which houses a restaurant, and the loggia with a colonnade, which houses a café, have been renovated. The fountain has also been modernised, the greenery has been tidied up, new lighting has been installed and the network of paths has been renovated. The next stage brought the renovation of the brick building with sanitary facilities and the correction of the layout of the walking paths in the highest part of the hill. Despite these important measures, the architectural composition remains incomplete. The panorama visible from Teatralna Street is missing the highest element of the former Sakwowy Bastion complex.
The history of the Sakwowy Bastion in Wrocław
The history of the Sakwowy Bastion dates back to the 16th century. In 1571, a bastion designed by Hans Schneider according to the principles of the so-called New Italian School was built in the south-eastern corner of Wrocław’s city fortifications. It contained casemates, parapets and artillery positions. At the end of the 16th century, a powder magazine operated here, and in the 18th century, the fortifications were reinforced with an earthen mantle and a counterguard. After the decision to demolish the Wrocław fortifications in 1807, the area was transformed into a viewing point incorporated into the city promenade. The hill, designed by Johann Friedrich Knorr as a place for walks, was later named Liebichs Höhe after the construction of a belvedere and observation tower in 1867. After World War II, it was known as Partisan Hill, a name used since 1948. However, this name had no formal status. In 2024, the place was officially given the historical name of Bastion Sakwowy.
Belvedere with a gloriette and a statue of Victoria
For several decades, the hill was dominated by a multi-storey belvedere in a style reminiscent of the Renaissance. The building was over 30 metres high and was topped with a small pavilion with arcades, or a gloriette. At its top stood a winged statue of Victoria, a copy of the sculpture from the Waterloo Column in Berlin. The structure was built in the 19th century on the initiative of entrepreneur Adolf Liebich, who financed its construction and entrusted the design to architect Karl Schmidt. The belvedere dominated the hill’s buildings as an important element of its overall composition.
The Sakwowy Bastion and World War II
The building survived for almost 80 years. However, at the end of World War II, it was demolished by the German army. The tall structure could serve as a landmark for Soviet aviation, so it was decided to demolish it. After the war, reconstruction was abandoned, and an astronomical observatory run by the Astronomy Enthusiasts Society operated at the top of the hill, using the preserved building. In the following decades, the buildings on the hill were forgotten and their technical condition deteriorated, and the space gradually lost its former splendour and elegance.
Next steps for the city
The adoption of the new local plan is only the beginning of a longer process. In order for the reconstruction of the missing elements of the bastion to take place, it will be necessary to develop a construction design based on historical iconographic materials. The next step is to obtain administrative decisions and secure funding. Only after these conditions have been met will it be possible to start work. If everything goes according to plan, a very important element of the lost history of pre-war Breslau will return to the top of the Sakwowy Bastion.
Source:City Hall in Wrocław
See also:Architecture in Poland|Metamorphosis|Renovation|Monument|History|Wrocław
The bastion in the 1920s and in 2025. Source: Wrocław – Construction investments
The Sakwowy Bastion on a postcard from 1905-1915 and in a photograph from 2025. Source: Wrocław – Construction investments
View of Partyzantów Hill in 1934 and 2023 – during renovation. Source: Lower Silesian Digital Library and Google Earth
The fountain in 2014 and 2025. Source: Wrocław – Construction investments
