Mentényi Klára szerk.: Műemlékvédelmi Szemle 2004. A Kulturális Örökségvédelmi Hivatal tájékoztatója (Budapest, 2004)
MŰHELY - Tolnai Gergely: A komáromi erődrendszer műemléki szemmel
In 1810 a new exterior defence line was built taking into consideration the longer gun-reach of modern cannons - this became later the Palatine line. First it was only a complex of posts their forming to a static line started in 1833. Till the beginning of the 1848-49 war of independence only five pieces of the complex were finished together with the barriers connecting them. On the other parts (northern Csallóköz, the part from the Vág-Duna) the town was defended only by earthworks. By 1849 the two bridgehead fortifications were surrounded by closed earthworks and on the southern bank (the Hungarian side) a defence line of ten earthworks was formed. The eastern end of the system was by the bridgehead fortification, while the western one stood at the place of the present Monostori fortification. Following the fall of the war of independence the building of the complex continued. Several plans were made at that time but as a result of the lack of money only part of them could be realized. The two bridgehead fortifications were modernized and surrounded by a complex of earthworks. On the southern bank of the Danube two new fortifications were built: the Monostori (1850-1871) and the Igmándi (1871-1877) fortresses. At the same time a smaller fortress was built for the watch of the railway to Győr. In order to close the roads from Pest an independent post was made east of Ószőny in 1855. The most important parts of the Komárom fortification complex on the territory of two countries are in a relatively good condition now. Although the first fortress of the Palatine line and the Vág-Duna bridgehead fortification were pulled down the other parts were preserved. Although certain parts were changed and rebuilt the whole complex still represents the second half of 19 th century Austrian military engineering. The use of the complex is solved today, the reconstruction has already started. On the Hungarian side the reconstruction of the Monostori fortress is continuing, the Igmándi fortress is owned by a museum, the Slovakian monument protection has reconstructed the 6th fortress of Palatine line, while the same happened with the 5 th and 2 nd ones with private help. Komárom's getting in the list of world heritage perhaps brings more money to the reconstruction and this fortress complex characteristic of the mid 19 th century would soon show its original style. The only problem could be its later maintenance but with the strong cooperation of the two countries' cultural institutions and private firms the cultural-tourists' centre of two countries could make possible to preserve and study this unique building complex.
