Citadel of diest, Military fortress in Diest, Belgium
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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