Fort of Oelegem

The fort was built between 1909 and 1914 to prevent an invasion. After 1918, the fort was rebuilt, its weapons replaced, and its ventilation and emergency exits were adapted.During World War II, the German Wehrmacht used the fort as a storage facility. After the liberation, it served the US Army as an anti-aircraft defense center against V1 rockets.In 1947, the fort's military use finally ended, and it became private property.Today, it is home to approximately 1,300 bats. On certain days and by appointment, you can visit it as part of a guided tour.

The fort has been protected as a monument since 1995. The domain is privately owned and managed by the Fort Oelegem working group. The fort is used entirely as a bat reserve and is only accessible under the guidance of a guide on certain days and by appointment. Fishing is permitted on the fort moat with a permit. This can be obtained from the Fort Oelegem working group of Natuur2000.
Cyclists can discover the fort together with the Fort van Kessel and the Fort van 's-Gravenwezel via the route 'Antitankgracht en heide' from the brochure "Herover de Forten". You can create your own route thanks to the cycling junctions. The Fort van Oelegem is located at junction 57.

Although the Fort of Oelegem was not yet finished when the First World War broke out, this did not prevent the fort from taking part in the conflict. Now there is only peace and quiet on the domain: the fort has become a bat sanctuary.
About 1,300 bats have found their home in the fort. The most common species are the common/grey long-eared bat, the fringe-tailed bat, the basketted bat, the water bat, the common bat, the Brandt's bat/common bearded bat and the Bechstein's bat. The domain is a European Special Protection Area.