Josefov Fortress is an old and now protected town fortress.

In 1780, the original inhabitants of the village were moved out and a large fortres was built controlling the river Metuje. It is set up as a large military defense complex including a fast network of underground passages, moats and walls. Over 20 000 people, of those 11 000 soldiers, worked for seven years to get the main complex ready, but building continues for decades. Inside the fortifications, houses were built for crafts people, traders, and other civilians needed to help run the fortress. These houses had to fit within the defensive task of the fortress, and became a prime example of modern town planning. 

The fortress never saw battle but became a garrison and military prison town.

During WWI it was used as a POW camp and as training area for the Austro-Hungarian army. After the war as intenment camp for deserted Russian military. The Czech military continued to use the facilites until 1968. After the Russian invasion of 1968, the Russians destroyed most of the 20th century facilities.

Already in the 1920s, the historic value fo the fortress was recognized, and efforts to preserve as much as possible of the original fortress and town layout have continued ever since. Today, the fortress is under protection and care is taken for it also by volunteers and non-profits. 

The Military Cemetery of Josefov is located two kilometer west of the fortress.