📜 Dělostřelecká tvrz Stachelberg, the largest modern artillery fortress in Czechia and one of the largest in Europe, was built between 1935-1938 to prevent a Nazi invasion. Never fully completed or used, it now serves as an open-air museum and a popular hiking area near Trutnov. It features an extensive underground system, historical exhibition, and the Eliška lookout tower, built in 2014 and named after Queen Eliška. The tower stands at 632m altitude, offering views from 24.5m high viewing platforms.# Why Go🏰 Explore a unique complex of military fortifications, bunkers, and an extensive underground labyrinth with deep passages and rich historical exhibitions.🏛️ Visit the historical museum with exhibits on the Czechoslovak fortification system.👀 Enjoy panoramic views of mountains, Krkonoše foothills, and Polish border regions from the Eliška lookout tower.🚶 Enjoy hiking and biking paths around the fortress.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly activities like museum scavenger hunts.🍻 A Biergarten is open on weekends, offering snacks and drinks.# Why Avoid🥶 Underground temperature is 9°C, bring warm clothes.🚶 Underground tour involves 186 steps.🚫 Some parts may be closed during off-season or for reconstruction.# Cost💰 Underground tour: Adults 200 CZK, Children (6-15) 100 CZK, Family (2+2) 500 CZK.🆓 Eliška lookout tower: Free entry. Payment by cash or card.# Hours🕒 Fortress: Open daily in July-August (except Mondays), Thursdays-Sundays in June, and weekends/holidays in April-May & September-October. Limited Saturday openings in November-December, and daily from Dec 25-31. Generally 10:00-17:00. Check official website for current times.🕒 Eliška Lookout Tower: Open daily from April 1 to November 30; open in winter during favorable weather.# Tips🚌 Easily accessible by car from Trutnov along Route 300 (free parking available about 0.5 km from the main museum entrance) or by bus 401 from Trutnov/Žacléř (stop Babí, pevnost).🗣️ Tours are in Czech, with printed texts or audio guides available for international visitors.🐶 Dogs on leash with muzzle allowed on underground tour by arrangement.🍽️ Refreshments available near the fortress during main tourist season.