Schans van Schilde, Military fortification in Schilde, Belgium
Schans van Schilde is a military fortification located on an oval island in Schilde, Belgium, surrounded by a wide moat and dense woodland. The structure is built from brick and concrete, with water features and natural vegetation forming an integrated part of the site's landscape.
This fortification was built between 1909 and 1912 as part of Belgium's National Redoubt defense system to protect a key road. The structure was demolished in 1914, but its remains survived and are now legally protected as a monument.
The fortress represents a blend of military history and nature conservation that shapes how locals view the site today. People come here to experience how a weapon of war has become a refuge for wildlife.
You can reach the site via Turnhoutsebaan or through the Antitankgracht, with cycling junctions 46 and 26 marking the main approaches. Visit during daytime hours to explore safely and minimize disturbance to the wildlife that inhabits the area.
The moat system today serves as a fishing pond managed by local clubs and enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the internal chambers provide critical winter shelter for several bat species that roost there seasonally.
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