Fort d'Emines, Military fortification in Saint-Marc, Belgium
Fort d'Emines is one of nine defensive structures built around Namur between 1888 and 1891 using unreinforced concrete. The fort features thick concrete walls, gun emplacements, and underground chambers designed into the hillside.
The fort was built in the late 1800s as part of a defensive ring around Namur. German artillery attacked it with heavy howitzers in August 1914, and it fell on August 24 during the opening weeks of World War I.
The displays inside show how the Belgian Army developed over time, from uniforms to weapons and defensive tactics. You can walk through panels that explain these changes across different periods.
Visits require advance booking through the official website. The fort is located on Rue du Fort d'Emines in Saint-Marc, reachable by a short walk from the parking area.
After World War I, the fort was never upgraded or modified and instead became a ammunition storage facility. The interior spaces still show traces of this original purpose with storage structures from that era.
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