The site was armed with four 130mm B-13 artillery guns capable of firing at targets over 20 kilometers away.
It functioned as part of the coastal defense belt of the People's Republic of Poland during the peak of the Cold War.
The battery's strategic location was selected to defend the entrance to the deep-water port of Szczecin.
The bunkers were built using 'heavy' specifications to withstand direct naval bombardment.
Following decommissioning, the site was absorbed into the territory of the Wolin National Park, which protects the surrounding rare maritime forest ecosystem.
The 17. Bateria Artylerii Stałej (17th Fixed Artillery Battery) is a former coastal defense installation located within the Wolin National Park on the island of Wolin. Constructed in the early 1950s, the facility was designed to protect the Szczecin-Świnoujście sea route using Soviet-designed B-13 artillery systems. The complex consists of reinforced concrete bunkers, ammunition magazines, and fire control stations hidden within the coastal forest terrain. It was decommissioned in the 1970s and remains a structural relic of Cold War-era military fortification. The site is integrated into the park's network of hiking and cycling paths, making it accessible as part of a larger nature exploration. The structures are primarily exterior ruins, as most internal components were removed following the battery's closure.
The elevated position near the primary gun emplacements, which offers a backdrop of the coastal forest and glimpses of the Baltic Sea.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear as the terrain is uneven and littered with debris.
Bring a flashlight if you intend to peek into the partially accessible bunker entrances.
Carry insect repellent, as the forested area is prone to ticks and mosquitoes during warmer months.
Attempting to enter deeply into structurally unsound bunkers; stay on marked park paths.
The area is open year-round as part of the Wolin National Park, though trails may be difficult to traverse during heavy winter snow or severe storm conditions.
Respect the restricted access zones of the bunkers; do not climb on unstable roofs or walls. Do not leave waste in the park.
