Fort Liezele

Description

Between the village centres of Puurs and Liezele, hidden beneath an emerald-green veil, lies a concrete mastodon. Built in 1908, this fortress is now the best-preserved and most complete fort of the former Antwerp Defence Line. The fort was not yet fully completed when World War I broke out. It only surrendered on 10 October 1914 after several bombardments. It lost its military function after World War II and was purchased by the municipality of Puurs in 1979. The 18-hectare estate is an oasis of greenery with rich fauna and flora, crisscrossed by various walking and cycling paths that lead to the fort. Today, the building is being restored by the municipality of Puurs and the non-profit organisation Fort Liezele. The fort has been a protected monument since 1995 and is being systematically restored and refitted according to its original functions in 1914. The fort has been used multiple times as a filming location for various Flemish series and/or films.