Fortress VIII - Petrina
Defensive line:
First line of defense: Trebinje  - Bileća - Avatovac
The second circle of the fortification ring of Trebinje

Tactical mission task
Control of the territory of Trebinje 
Control of Nikšić line of defense

Construction period
1883/4. tower
1887/88. added artillery platform

Crew
1 officers
89 non-commissioned officers and soldiers

Weapons
Cannon 90 mm М-1875/1896, 5 pieces
Infantry and machine gun weapons
PETRINA
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.
  • Artillery for mountain fortresses³
  • Plan of Petrina²
THE AGE OF GREAT CHANGE
After the sudden movement of the army in 1878, Bosnia and Herzegovina will experience great changes. How the Austro-Hungarian administration was changing the lives of ordinary people, you will find out from the pen of the immortal chronicler Ivo Andrić.  
  • Trebinje, barracks⁴
  • Army entered Brod in 1878
At the end of the 19th century, the town of Trebinje became an important military and communication center.
Train station Trebinje
NEW TIMES UNDER MILITARY OCCUPATION
„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.“ 
„At first, only the army was to be seen (…)At the same time officials began to arrive, civil servants with their families and, after them, artisans and craftsmen.“
RAILWAY
„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.“ 
Ivo Andrić, excerpts from the novel “The Bridge on the Drina”
  • Trebinje, Emperor's street (Kaiserstrasse)⁴ 
  • Train station Trebinje
  • Bridge over Trebišnjica
¹ Source: Radojica Pavićević
² Source: Volker Pachauer
³ Source: Österreichisches Staatsarchiv
4 Source: Österreichische Gesellschaft für Festungsforschung

Important Note: Explore the fortresses and use the trails at your own risk.
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This website is part of the FORT-NET project "From the Medieval Fortresses in Herzegovina to the Austro-Hungarian Fortresses in Montenegro" funded with the help of the European Union. The content of this website is the sole responsibility of the project partners and does not necessarily represent the views of the European Union.
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