Fort Blücher, Military fort in Wesel, Germany
Fort Blücher is a rectangular defensive installation in Wesel with nine vaulted chambers, each measuring 12 by 5 meters (40 by 16 feet) and standing 6 meters (20 feet) high. The thick stone walls formed the core of the French fortification strategy along the Lower Rhine.
Construction took place between 1807 and 1813 under Napoleon's orders, with the original name being Citadelle Napoleon. Prussian forces took control following their military victories and renamed the installation.
The fort displays military architecture from early 19th-century French design, later adapted to Prussian standards. Visitors can observe how these two building styles come together in the structure's walls and vaulted sections.
The structure serves as the largest known bat refuge in the Wesel area, providing winter shelter for many species. Advance planning is recommended, as access to the site is limited and visitors should check local conditions before arrival.
The construction of the fort led to the complete destruction of the nearby village of Alt-Büderich in 1813 following Napoleon's decree. The remains of this lost settlement lie buried beneath the modern landscape.
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