Citadel of diest, Military fortress in Diest, Belgium
Description
The Citadel of Diest is a pentagon-shaped fortress with red brick walls standing on top of Allerheiligenberg hill. You can walk around its large perimeter and see how the structure was designed to cover a substantial area for military purposes.
History
Built between 1837 and 1844 to protect Belgian borders, the fortress later served as a detention center during both World Wars. It held prisoners and internees, becoming an important military facility throughout its existence.
Culture
The fortress reflects how Belgium prepared its defenses in the 1800s, and you can see this dedication in its solid construction and thoughtful layout. Walking through it today, you notice how everything was designed with military precision to protect the surrounding region.
Practical
The protected monument sits on elevated ground that gives you good views while exploring. Wear comfortable shoes since the grounds are extensive and require considerable walking to see everything properly.
Did you know?
A dry moat still runs around the fortress and shows how defense systems were layered for maximum protection. This remaining feature is one of the best-preserved elements of the original defensive design.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Diest).
Sint-Sulpitius en Dionysiuskerk
480 m
Béguinage of Diest
1.1 km
Provinciedomein De Halve Maan
1.4 km
Sint-Catharinakerk
1.2 km
Warandepark
973 m
Fortifications of Diest
494 m
Webbekoms Broek
1.5 km
Lindenmolen, Diest
1.2 kmStadsmuseum De Hofstadt
423 m
Ezeldijkmolen
1 km
Allerheiligenkapel
256 m
Église des Croisiers de Diest
620 m
Sint-Janskerk
995 m
Monument aan de Weerstand
954 m
Town hall of Diest
413 m
Grauwzustersklooster
1.1 km
Bogaardenklooster
1 km
Refugiehuis van de abdij van Rothem
656 m
Sint-Trudokerk
2.2 km
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Bijstandkapel
358 m
Refugiehuis van de abdij van Corsendonck
557 m
Heilig Kind Jezuskerk
1.8 km
Refugiehuis van de Teutoonse Orde
607 m
Refugium der oratorianen van Scherpenheuvel
1 km
De Drie Kronen
834 m
Mariëndaal
807 m
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk
956 m
Sint-Jan Berchmanskerk
771 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes