Beranan
Beranan, located on a rocky island at the west end of the Olbrint Strait, stands as a testament to the region's tumultuous past. This ruined fortress was once a formidable stronghold, strategically positioned to oversee the waters of the Strait and provide vital defence against maritime threats. Constructed directly into the rock, the fortress utilised the island’s natural elevation to enhance its defensive capabilities, making it a daunting obstacle for any would-be invaders.
Approaching Beranan, one is met with the sight of crumbling walls and broken towers, now largely overgrown with vegetation, hinting at the passage of time since its last occupants. The structure has lost much of its former grandeur, yet remnants of its might remain. Without a central courtyard, the design prioritised fortification, with walls thick enough to withstand siege attempts. Now, these shattered barriers stand as skeletal reminders of Beranan’s storied past. Its elevated position offers a sweeping vista of the surrounding waters, a vantage point that once enabled sentinels to spot potential threats from afar.
The fortress comprises two levels, with the upper level likely having housed command functions and living quarters for the garrison, while the lower level may have served as storage for provisions and armaments. Due to the island’s size and its isolation amidst the sea, there are no extensive underground sections, making the fortress reliant on its surface structures for defence and habitation. While most of the lower level has now eroded away, it is said that some hidden chambers and tunnels still exist, concealed among the rubble, which are occasionally illuminated by strange lights at night.
Though abandoned, the site provides a clear docking area for boats, allowing for easy access to the fortress during its operational days. The rocky shoreline, while treacherous, offers sheltered spots for vessels to moor, ensuring that supplies could be transported to the fortress effectively. Today, Beranan stands as a silent sentinel, its ruins telling the story of a strategic outpost that once played a crucial role in the defence of the Olbrint Strait. Yet, recent rumours of unusual activity around the site have caught the attention of those who believe Beranan’s long-forgotten halls may yet hold new secrets waiting to be uncovered.
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