[fr] 
[es]Fort de la Chartreuse, Liège
| Type | Aerial view | Video | Country | Date | Status | Rating | |
 Military domain | Here ! |  Watch it! |  Belgium | 2005-03-20 | Endangered | *** |
|
The Fort That Was Never Used...
Located in Liège, Belgium, this fort was built in 1817 by the Dutch army (the country of Belgium did not yet exist; it wasn't founded until 1830). This fort is part of the fortification line along the river Meuse which crosses Belgium.
Site Panorama - Click to enlarge!
The fort was ready-and-able to house 3000 soldiers, but will unfortunately never complete its purpose to defend anything. The history of this fort is pretty interesting. It was seized by the Belgian people during the revolution in 1830 and it became a simple barracks. During World War I and World War II the fort acted as a German prison. In 1944-45 the American military took control of the fort and it was transformed into the 28th General Hospital for the US Army. The fort now stands decaying and completely obsolete.
The fort entrace has changed over the years...
The scars of history show on the walls of this empty fortress. While walking around you can easily read signs such as: "Rauchen verboten! (Smoking Forbidden)" or "28th General Hospital US Army" on the walls. Another interesting feature inside the pillboxes, which were put in place to defend the fort, are military paintings that haven’t been erased by time.
The site is huge coming in at over 30 hectares, and the entrance is rather difficult to locate, but this place does not disappoint and is definitely worth a visit…
The oldest building of the fort, then & now...
Thanks Slyv for the localization.
We make a new video of this place un CELATV
celatelevision.blogspot.com
I was there last weekend for a Airsoft skirmish. It must be one of the most amazing terrains i have ever seen.
Well, when i visited a few weeks ago, it was a paintball paradise :|
I arrived in Liege yesterday with my GF who is here for business. I had been researching Liege and with Remembrance Day so near, I decided to seek any Australian connections and the World Wars with liege. I was not disappointed.
Specific to the Fort however, it has been an amazing day. I basically hopped into a taxi from the airport and an hour later I was in Fort De LA Chartreuse.
On my own, wandering through the tunnels and rooms put an interesting edge to it. In addition I had visited the grave of an unknown Australian soldier in the nearby cemetery and seeing the quantity of surrounding graves, I could only imagine how may brave souls died in the Fort. (Yes there were a few second takes looking behind oneself down those long corridors)
Being Australian, white history is short compared to that of Europe and to be able to explore such a place without any 'trumpets playing' was amazing. This will be a sad loss.
Loss? On my leaving the Fort I spoke with no security guards but a couple of young fellow taking core soil samples (this indicates geotech studies for future foundation work). A quick chat and I was right, the buildings are to be demolished very soon.
Thank you to this website for such an amazing, unexpected experience and thank you to the Australians that died in both the nineteenth century World Wars in and around Belgium.
If you get a chance, don't miss this visual feast.
:-)
Yesterday we spend about 3 hours to take Photos and Explore the Buildings, and only at the last 15 min. we hear a Dog, but we couldnt see it.
I studied architecture as an erasmus in liege and this site was the subjet of the year. Now i am using it to do my final proyect. I was surprised to see this web site, i found really nice pictures.
Actually i wanted to ask if anybody has got any more information such as plans of the diferent buildings or anything that could interest me. Also if somebody is interested i have got some information myself.
THank you good bye!
Hi guys,
I've been inside the buildings last weekend. Didn't see or hear any security or guards. I used the (former) front enterance to get in. A simple case of climbing over the fence. Spikey bits had already been removed by previous visitors. They did however destroy some buildings behind the main three buildings. Just past the main gate on the right hand sight is the former prison block. All the old metal doors are still there. I' definitly check that one out!!! It was amazing.
Any update on the dog/security detail?
Well, to me it seems very unlikely that they would guard the place 24/7. It would cost to much considered the benifits. I'm sure you'll be able to enter on a random sunday.
I've heard that La Chartreuse is now guarded by watchmen with a couple of dogs and can't be entered anymore... is that true? I thought about a journey to Liège from Frankfurt...
Doug: for such a short walk, why don't you find out?? 
Hello I stay with family 5 minutes from this site. Is it easy to visit? It fascinates me. Ta Doug