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Fort Eben-Emael: A Window into WWII History

Explore a massive WWII fortress in Belgium, captured in the first-ever gliderborne attack, and discover its underground tunnels and artillery positions.

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Fort Eben-Emael, near Liège, Belgium, is a massive pre-World War II fortress famously captured by German paratroopers in 1940. Explore its underground tunnels, barracks, and artillery positions to witness a pivotal moment in military history and the tragic start of WWII in Western Europe.

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

  • Car

    If driving from Liège, head southeast on Rue de la Régence, then continue onto Rue de l'Académie. Exit onto the E25 motorway towards Namur. After approximately 8 km, take exit 2 toward Visé/Landen. Merge onto N608 and follow signs for Ében-Émael. Stay on Rue du Fort until you reach Fort Eben-Emael. Free parking is available.

  • Public Transport

    To reach Fort Eben-Emael by public transport from Liège, take a train from Liège-Guillemins station to Visé (approximately 15 minutes). From Visé station, take bus line 6 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. Buses from the TEC Wallonia transport company (lines 16, 76, or 101) also run daily via Eben-Emael.

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Discover more about Fort Eben-Emael

Fort Eben-Emael, a colossal military complex near Liège, stands as a testament to a pivotal moment in World War II. Built between 1932 and 1935, the fort was designed to defend Belgium from German invasion. It was considered one of the largest and strongest fortifications in Europe at the time. The fort's strategic location, overlooking the Albert Canal and the Meuse River, was intended to block any enemy advance through the Visé Gap. However, its reputation of being impregnable was shattered on May 10, 1940, when a small force of German paratroopers, using gliders and innovative hollow charge explosives, successfully infiltrated and neutralized the fort in a matter of hours. This was the first strategic airborne operation in military history and a key event in the German Blitzkrieg. The swift capture of Eben-Emael allowed German forces to advance into Belgium, marking the beginning of the war in Western Europe. Today, Fort Eben-Emael is preserved as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the fort's history and the lives of the soldiers who were stationed there. Explore the underground barracks that once housed 1,200 troops and wander through the 5 km of tunnel networks connecting various parts of the fort. See the artillery bunkers, where guns remain in place, bearing witness to the devastating attack. The museum also displays one of the few remaining DFS 230 assault gliders, used in the daring raid. A visit to Fort Eben-Emael provides a chilling insight into the realities of modern warfare and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving peace.

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