Fort van Merksem, Military fort in Merksem, Belgium
Fort van Merksem is a fortified military installation in Antwerp featuring thick brick walls and multiple defensive structures surrounded by water-filled ditches. The sprawling grounds contain several armed positions that demonstrate the fort's layered defense system.
The fort was completed in 1876 and formed part of Belgium's national defense system against external threats. Belgian forces deliberately damaged it in 1914 to prevent enemy occupation.
After military operations ended, the grounds became a gathering place where locals enjoy sports and recreation in open spaces. This transformation shows how a fortress once built for conflict now serves community life.
The site is accessible by public transport, with tram and bus stops near Fortsteenweg and Bredabaan. Cyclists can also use the marked route junction point 78 to reach the grounds.
The fort once contained a prison area whose cells now display information about its military role during both World Wars. These preserved spaces offer a direct sense of how the fort functioned during wartime.
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