The citadel is a fortification located near the center of the city. It is located on a hill formed by three small mountains: Sambuca, Poznań and Rebraca. In terms of landscape Geology the Citadel can be interpreted as flat-top outcrop at Lviv plateau. In the mid-17th century this place was carried out the shelling of the city thronged him by Russian troops, and later by the troops of the Turks and their ally, the right-Bank Hetman Doroshenko. Projected fortification of the Citadel of the Austrian military after the suppression of the Polish rebellion of 1848. The approaches to the Citadel was strengthened three systems of trenches at a distance of about one and a half kilometers from the centre of the Citadel. In the late 19th century were built nine auxiliary FORTS.

From 1912 po year were erected even eleven FORTS: In I and II, Dublyany, Sykhiv, bison, Lainici, Sokolniki, Sknilow, Yavlinsky mountain ryasno. During the world wars, the fortifications were not used in combat. Here found their barracks location: first Austro-Hungarian, then Russian, Polish and, finally, the Soviet troops. During the great Patriotic there was a pow camp. With the aim of increasing the protection of the Germans built a system of small concrete bunkers, which are arranged in a circle on the slopes. Through the torture chambers of the concentration camp "Citadel" it's been almost two hundred and eighty thousand people, half of whom died from hunger and diseases. In preserved fortifications included a three-storey building barracks and six towers. All the buildings of the Citadel is built of red brick.

Today the Citadel wins its strength and power, this building is steeped warlike spirit.