Fortress Mainz-Fort Malakoff

The Caponniere Malakoff, also known as Fort Malakoff in Mainz, was part of the Prussian fortress of Mainz and, within it, a component of the left Rhine bank fortifications (Rhine gorge tower). It was built in various stages of expansion starting in 1843 as part of the Rhine regulation and later extended.

Fort Malakoff was constructed as a multi-story gun emplacement. The construction and renovation period of this structure, located on the left side of the Rhine, falls between 1843 and 1873, predominantly during the second fortification phase (1841–1848). The work received the name Fort Malakoff due to the Crimean War in Russia in 1855. In 1863, ownership of the building transferred from the fortress to the Hessian Ludwigsbahn. From this point on, it was made available to socially disadvantaged residents as housing for the poor.

At the time of its creation, the work formed the southeastern outpost of the Rhine bank fortifications. On J. Lehnhardt's city map from 1844, the Caponniere, designated as "New Casemate Corps," still stood in the middle of the undeveloped Lauterenviertel. It was built at the height of the Holzpforte of the medieval city fortifications. At that time, several bathing ships were located on the Rhine opposite the Caponniere.