Brest fortress was built in the mid-nineteenth century on the site of the ancient border town of Brest-Litovsk. The nature here was the place to impregnable fortifications, river Mukhovets two arms flows into the bug river, forming surrounded on all sides by water island. During its long history, the island several times passed from hand to hand from state to state, therefore, changed its names: Berestye, Brest-Litovsk, Brest-on-the-bug and Brest.

The idea is build on the site of the city of Brest-Litovsk impregnable fortress was born in 1797. This position was first expressed by major General Franz Devolan. The Napoleonic war had strengthened the intention of the authorities of the Russian Empire to build in Brest-Litovsk fortress. Came to power Nicholas I made the task of building fortifications priority, however, ideas about how to reinforce a large trading town, for a long time.

In 1830 was drafted, according to which almost the whole city was moved to a new place, civilian buildings were demolished and in their place was erected a fully military fortress. It was an unprecedented case when the decision of the military authorities of the city with its long history, was completely wiped from the face of the earth. The author of the project was the engineer-General K. I. Opperman. However, the project was revised several times. The first stone of the future of the Brest fortress was built on June 1, 1836.

The construction of the fortress was completed in 1842. It was headed by major-General of engineering troops I. Den. The fortress consisted of a Citadel and the three fortifications to protect the Citadel from all sides: Volyn (South), Terespol (West), Kobrin (East and North). The total area of the fortress was more than 400 hectares. From the outside it was surrounded by an earthen wall 10 meters high with brick casemates inside and canal filled with water. To accommodate the fortress was able to 12 thousand soldiers.

In 1864 the fortress, it was decided to upgrade. Reconstruction was carried out under the direction of the adjutant General E. I. Totleben. In the fortress walls were strengthened with regard to the capacity of the new artillery shells on the Kobrin fortification were built two of the redoubt, built casemated artillery battery, caponiers, additional ammunition magazines.

Since then, the fortress was rebuilt several times, and waxed strong, trying to keep up with the progress in military Affairs so as to remain impregnable and to withstand any defense.

In the First World war during the rapid advance of the Kaiser's army in 1915 and given the failures of defense other fortresses, the government adopted the decision of the Brest fortress to evacuate. So, the fortress took over the functions to which it was prepared.

On March 3, 1918, when seized power in Russia the Bolsheviks was not before the war with the Kaiser, in the White Palace of the Brest fortress was awarded the infamous Brest-Litovsk Treaty, under which Russia lost 780 thousand square kilometers of its territory and 56 million citizens. History has not spared the White Palace. Now in its place in ruins of cellars.

In 1918, Poland declared its independence. In the composition of the young state was the Brest fortress. The castle housed the Polish military units. On 1 September 1939 began the Second World war. The troops of fascist Germany attacked Poland. September 17 units of the 76th infantry regiment of the German army seized the fortress. 22 September 1939 Brest fortress was transferred to the Soviet Union.

On 22 June 1941 Nazi Germany attacked the USSR. The Brest fortress was the first to come under attack heavy artillery fire. However, despite a well-developed plan, the Nazis stumbled on the desperate resistance of the defenders of the Brest fortress. In the Brest fortress was destroyed water, munitions and food. The defenders were divided, there was no communication, no unified command. About the fortitude and courage of the Soviet soldiers were born, legends, supporting the morale of those who fought on the fronts of the war.