Fortress Walem (Walem)

 place with historical importance, fortification

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Fortress Walem is one of the 32 fortifications belonging to the 95 Km. long outer defending girdle around Antwerp.
Build in 1879 along with fortress Lier.
The fortress was build to defend the south side of the city.
1900 the fortress is being modernized a layer of concrete and gun turrets are placed on top of the fortress.
1914 after several days of heavy shelling by the Germans, a part of the fortress collapsed when the ammunition depot got hit and the garrison left the fortress and withdrew behind the river Yser.
1930 a monument “weerstanderskruis” (resistance cross) is placed to remember the heroic defense during the war.
During the inter-war years in the fortress is rebuild as infantry reinforcement.
WW II, the fortress plays no significant role.
1957 plans were to straighten the road thru the fortress, but this could be prevented. Instead a part of the moat on the north west side of the fortress is filled to smoothen the curve in the road and saved the fortress.
197? Civil defense is using the fortress as a depot.
1989 after the civil defense loses interest the fortress is used as refugee asylum centre.
1992 after a destructive fire the fortress is abandoned and left to its fate.
The fortress is being looted and vandalized for years to come.
1998 the fortress is declared national monument to find a new owner.
Until today it’s a disgrace, the fortress stays decayed thru looting and vandalization.(see link)

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