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Fort Eben-Emael: A Colossal Relic of WWII

Explore Fort Eben-Emael: a colossal WWII fortress with underground tunnels, artillery bunkers, and a museum showcasing its dramatic history.

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Fort Eben-Emael, a massive Belgian fortress built in the 1930s, stands as a testament to pre-World War II military strategy. Located near Liège, it was once considered impregnable but fell to German forces in a daring glider attack in 1940. Today, it serves as a museum, offering a glimpse into the lives of soldiers and the intricacies of a bygone era of warfare.

A brief summary to Fort Eben-Emael

  • Friday 10 am-2:30 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-2:30 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-2:30 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be exploring extensive underground tunnels.
  • Check the website for special events or exhibitions during your visit.
  • Consider visiting during weekdays to avoid larger crowds.
  • Arrive early to join a guided tour for a more in-depth experience.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    To reach Fort Eben-Emael by public transport from Liège, begin at Liège-Guillemins train station. Take a train to Visé (approximately 15 minutes). From Visé station, take bus line 76 towards Ében-Émael. Get off at the stop 'Ében-Émael, Rue du Fort', and walk about 500 meters to the fort. The total cost for the train and bus may range from €5 to €10. Bus line 76 also runs directly from Liège to Bassenge/Eben-Emael.

  • Car

    If driving from Liège, head southeast and take the E25 motorway towards Namur. Take exit 2 towards Visé/Landen and merge onto N608, following signs for Ében-Émael. Stay on Rue du Fort until you reach Fort Eben-Emael. Free parking is available for cars, motorcycles and coaches.

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Discover more about Fort Eben-Emael

Fort Eben-Emael, situated on the west bank of the Albert Canal, near Liège, Belgium, is a sprawling complex that once represented the pinnacle of defensive military engineering. Constructed between 1932 and 1935, the fort was designed to protect Belgium from German invasion. Its strategic location, overlooking the Albert Canal and the Meuse River, was intended to control key access points into the country. The fort's design incorporated then-state-of-the-art features, including a network of underground tunnels stretching over 5 kilometers, barracks for 1,200 soldiers, and 17 above-ground combat posts. The fort's defenses included large gun casemates, artillery cupolas with long firing ranges, and anti-aircraft weaponry. However, its seemingly impenetrable design was outmatched by the innovative tactics of the German army. On May 10, 1940, German forces launched a surprise attack, using glider-borne troops to land directly on top of the fort. This was the first strategic airborne operation using paratroopers in military history. The German troops used hollow charge explosives to neutralize the fort's gun turrets, paving the way for a swift capture. The fall of Eben-Emael marked the beginning of the German offensive in Western Europe and highlighted the vulnerability of even the most formidable static defenses. Today, Fort Eben-Emael is preserved as a museum, offering visitors a chance to explore its underground tunnels, barracks, and gun emplacements. The museum showcases exhibits about the fort's history, the lives of the soldiers stationed there, and the details of the German attack. Visitors can see one of the last remaining DFS 230 assault gliders, used in the capture of the fort. Guided tours are available in multiple languages, providing in-depth information about the fort's features and its role in World War II.

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