T-S 19 Turov casemate

T-S 19 Turov is a preserved infantry casemate (pěchotní srub) in Hronov, near the Czech-Polish border, set in the scenic Broumov Highlands landscape reserve. It is one of the few surviving pieces of the Czechoslovak border fortification system from the 1930s that visitors can actually walk into, rather than just admire from outside.

What kind of structure is this?

The reinforced-concrete bunker went up remarkably fast, built in just a few days in May 1938 as Czechoslovakia scrambled to strengthen its border defenses ahead of a feared conflict with Nazi Germany. Classified as a class II resistance structure, it was designed for a garrison of 29 soldiers. Together with the neighboring casemate T-S 20 "Na pláni," it formed a fire-blocking pair covering the Chlívce sector, guarding a valley approach into the interior. Construction was carried out by the Prague firm of engineer Josef Filip, as part of subsection 1./V. Zbečník within the larger Náchod defensive line.

What will you see inside?

Open to visitors since 2009, the casemate is maintained as a living museum by the Military History Club T-S 19 Turov. Inside, you can walk through both the combat level and the rear support level, and see surviving fragments of the original electrical wiring, weapon mock-ups, and replica machine guns of the type once mounted in the firing embrasures. The exhibition is rounded out with archival photographs from the construction and mobilization period, plus a relief model of the surrounding terrain showing how this single casemate fit into the wider defensive line.

How do you get to T-S 19 Turov?

The casemate stands near Rokytník, part of the town of Hronov in the Náchod district, right on the Czech side of the border region. It makes a natural stop for anyone exploring the Kladsko/Broumovsko area, known for its sandstone rock cities, monasteries, and layered borderland history. The easiest way in is by car or bicycle along the local roads linking Hronov with the surrounding villages; since the site is run by volunteer history enthusiasts, it is worth checking current opening times before setting out, especially outside peak season.

When should you visit?

These fortifications are best visited in summer, when local re-enactment associations often hold open days and historical demonstrations, and the interior is accessible without needing to book a group tour in advance. It pairs well with other fortification sites around Náchod and Broumov, making it easy to string together a day trip tracing the Czechoslovak border defenses built between 1935 and 1938.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is T-S 19 Turov? It is a reinforced-concrete infantry casemate, part of the Czechoslovak border fortifications built in 1938, now open to the public as a small military museum.

How many soldiers were stationed there? The casemate was designed for a garrison of 29 soldiers manning its combat positions and technical support areas.

Can you go inside the bunker? Yes — it has been open to visitors since 2009, thanks to a local history club that maintains a living military exhibition on site.

What else is worth combining with a visit? Other fortification sites around Náchod and Broumov, plus the sandstone rock cities and monasteries of the wider Broumov Highlands region.