Noordkasteel, Military fort and recreational park in Oosterweel, Belgium
Noordkasteel is a former military fort located between Amerikadok and the Scheldt River, featuring preserved ramparts and a rowing pond created from the original moat system. The grounds include open green spaces accessible to visitors throughout the year.
The fort was built between 1862 and 1864, replacing an earlier fort and serving as the final defensive structure in Antwerp's surrounding fortress ring. It represented the culmination of 19th-century military engineering designed to protect the city.
The site transformed from military use to public recreation in 1934 and became a gathering place for local communities. Today visitors can experience how the restored grounds serve as a social hub where people spend their leisure time.
Access to the fort is available via Scheldelaan or Oosterweelsteenweg, with public transportation at Antwerpen Royerssluis bus stop nearby. The grounds are flat and easy to walk around, making it suitable for families and casual visitors.
The site will become part of Ringpark Noordkasteel when the Oosterweel junction opens after 2030. This project will keep the existing pond while significantly expanding green spaces to create a larger connected recreation area.
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