Europe is the only hope

Narva is a unique town famous for its fortification system, which started with the wooden stronghold built by the Danes in the XII century. In the XVII century, during the Swedish rule - the "golden age" of Narva in terms of commerce and architecture - the fortification constructions of Narva were greatly improved. Six bastions named Pax, Victoria, Honour, Gloria, Triumph and Fortuna were completed by designs of the Swedish military engineer Erik Dahlbergh. Since the time of their construction, the bastions have been repeatedly attacked, damaged and renovated. At present, the fortification structures of Narva, including Narva Castle and bastions, have no equal either in diversity or in state of preservation.

The most recent renovations of the bastions date back to the 80s-90s of the XX century. Narva is trying to solve the problem of the unique yet dilapidating fortifications applying for EU funds.

Since 1991 (Estonia's regained independent) the bastions have been the property of Narva, whereas usually such historic objects are the property of the state, as their maintenance is beyond any city's capability. Narva is doing its best for the renovation of the bastions by applying to various funds for financial support. Since 2001 numerous projects have been developed and implemented. Among the most important ones are such projects as building of drainage system around the bastions; lightening of the main bastions; promotion activities; working out the concept for bastions' development; technical design project of Victoria and Honour bastions; construction project for renovation and conservation of Victoria, Gloria and Honour bastions and casemates; and the development of exposition in Bastion Victoria. The project proposal to the programme "Development of tourist and cultural object of national importance", which could fundamentally solve the problem of the unique yet dilapidating fortifications, was placed next to last in the priority list by the Government of Estonia, and therefore it is not financed. Considering the limited support from Structural Fund for such projects, Narva is trying to solve the problem of the collapsing bastions by stages.

Narva is currently developing a project for the reconstruction of inner and outer walls of Bastion Victoria, which is going to be submitted to the Structural Funds Programme for the development of the regions competitiveness, hoping that this time the evaluation committee will consider the project important and worthy of financial support.