Schoenenbourg, Military fortification in Haut-Rhin, France
Schoenenbourg is an underground military fort located in the Vosges, consisting of concrete blocks with gun emplacements and barracks connected by tunnels. The complex includes ammunition storage, kitchens, and living quarters, all protected beneath concrete and earth.
The fortress was built in the late 1920s as part of France's defensive line against Germany. During World War II, it played a key role in early fighting before eventually being abandoned.
The fort shows how French military strategists of the 1930s thought about defense, building underground fortifications to protect their nation. Walking through it today, you can sense the confidence they placed in this structure to keep soldiers safe during wartime.
Visiting requires descending steep stairs into the underground, where the air stays cool and damp. Wear sturdy shoes since the passages have uneven floors and many stairs.
The fort still holds many original wartime items, including radios, old beds, and cooking stoves that show how soldiers lived there. These details make the visit feel personal and bring the history into sharp focus.
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