Dömitz Fortress

Dömitz Fortress
Festung Dömitz
Dömitz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
Main entrance into the fort
Coordinates	53°8′32.4″N 11°14′44.2″E / 53.142333°N 11.245611°E / 53.142333; 11.245611
Type	Star fort
Site information
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Intact
Website	www.festung-doemitz-museum.de
Site history
Built	1559–1565
Built by	Duchy of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
In use	1565–1894
Materials	Brick and sandstone
Battles/wars	Thirty Years' War Napoleonic Wars

The Dömitz Fortress (German: Festung Dömitz) is a star fort in Dömitz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It was built by John Albert I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow, between 1559 and 1565, to secure Mecklenburg's border. The fort saw use during the Thirty Years' War and the Napoleonic Wars, and it was decommissioned in 1894. The fort is now in good condition, and it has been a museum since 1953. It is one of the few well-preserved 16th-century flatland forts in Northern Europe.

The Dömitz Fortress was built between 1559 and 1565 on the orders of John Albert I, Duke of Mecklenburg. It was built on the site of an older fort, which had been built in the 13th century. The fort was one of the strongest in the area, and it was able to secure Mecklenburg's border on the Elbe River. The fort was designed by the Italian military engineer Francesco a Bornau, who also designed the fortifications of the Schwerin Palace.

Like many other examples of military architecture, the fort was designed with functionality rather than aesthetics in mind, and the only part of the structure which is ornate is its main gate, which is built out of sandstone. The gate is decorated with several carved reliefs, including the coats of arms of Mecklenburg and Brandenburg. The following inscription is written on the gate:

JOHANNES ALBERTUS
DUX MEGAPOL SIB.
SVISQVE COMMUNIVIT
ANNO M D LXV

The fort saw use during the Thirty Years' War, and was burnt during the Battle of Dömitz () in 1635. The fort and town were bombarded and occupied by French and Dutch troops during the Napoleonic Wars. After 1705, the fort was also used as a prison and a madhouse.