Fort Steendorp

The 20 hectare Fort Steendorp was built of brick in the 19th century to protect the Scheldt city of Antwerp. Today bats claim the fort, for them it is an important wintering place. Every winter there are about 1200 copies! A unique hiking trail leads you past the remains of this impressive building.

The last built brick fort in Belgium, which was only used as a training ground for the army after WWII, now serves as a bat sanctuary. In winter, around 1,200 specimens stay in this domain, which is officially protected as a landscape, historical monument and nature reserve.
The 20 hectares are home to more than 100 bird species, dozens of which also breed on site, such as the wood and barn owl, the sparrowhawk and the buzzard. There is a fascinating 2-kilometre walk around the walls of this former military stronghold.
(Routen.be)

General architect Brialmont had the fort built in the shape of a trapezium. The shortest side – the 250 m wide main front – faced the enemy. This allowed the defensive artillery to fire on the enemy from afar from the ramparts.
(Nature and Forest Agency)