In the 17th century, Dukla was a thriving commercial hub on the trade route between Poland and Hungary. Merchants passed through its defensive walls to trade Hungarian wine, which was a favorite among Polish nobility. Life revolved around the town hall and the local markets, where goods from across the region were bartered in a bustling, multi-cultural atmosphere. The Blood of the Pass
The town's identity changed forever in 1944 during the . This was one of the most brutal mountain battles of WWII, as Soviet and Czechoslovak forces fought to break through Nazi defenses to support the Slovak National Uprising. In the 17th century, Dukla was a thriving
At least ten times more Soviet troops died at the pass than Czechs, cementing the location as a grim symbol of Soviet liberation and sacrifice. The Legacy of the Pitch The Blood of the Pass The town's identity