The Austro-Hungarian army approached the war as it was a scientific discipline. In the 1880s, when it was decided to strengthen the border towards Montenegro, military engineer Karl Wahlberg designed a special type of mountain two-part fortress made of hewn stone. Such was Petrina, which was originally built as a three-storey defensive barracks. After three years, two semicircular artillery platforms were added, as seen in the plan of Petrina². Like all other fortification facilities designed for accommodation of people, Petrina had its own NN infrastructure (cistern, generator, sewerage) and everything necessary for the life of the army (kitchen, dormitory, common rooms, bathrooms, military medicine). The fortification system meant that all fortresses were optically connected for the purpose of mutual communication, so that at least two to five fortresses could be seen from each other.

„These men, born and brought up in this remote district of Turkey (...) now for the first time there appeared before them the real „power and force“of an Empire, victorious, glistening and sure of itself (...) At the first sight of the saddlery and the tunic-buttons another world could be sensed behind these hussars and jaegers in parade kit.“ 

„Much was said and written about the political and strategic significance of this line, of the impending annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of the further aims of Austro-Hungary and all the complicated problems connected with them. But in the town all the things still seemed completely innocent and even attractive. There were new contractors, fresh hordes of workmen and new sources of gain for many.“