Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum

Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum
Openluchtmuseum Atlantikwall

Preserved Observation Post at the Museum.
Location within Belgium
Location Raversijde, West Flanders, Belgium
Coordinates 51°12′04″N 2°50′47″E / 51.200989°N 2.846373°E
Type Military Museum
Owner Domein Raversijde
Nearest car park On site
Website www.west-vlaanderen.be

The Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum (Dutch: Openluchtmuseum Atlantikwall) is a military museum near Oostende in Belgium which preserves fortifications of the Atlantic Wall dating to the First and Second World Wars. The section of fortifications owned by the museum - over 60 bunkers and two miles of trenches - is among the best preserved sections of the defensive line in Europe. The fortifications survive because they were built on land belonging to Prince Charles, Count of Flanders who decided not to destroy them after liberation as a national monument.

The Museum

First World War

During the German Occupation during the First World War, the Aachen Battery was built in the land which is part of the museum. Though it is not as well preserved as the later fortifications in the museum, it is rare for fortifications of this period to survive in Belgium.

Second World War

The majority of the preserved bunkers and trenches at the site date to the construction of the Atlantic Wall during the German occupation of Belgium during the Second World War. During the war, numerous fortifications were constructed on the site, including the well preserved Saltzwedel neu Battery to defend the nearby port of Oostende from allied invasion. Several of the fortifications have been renovated to the condition they were in during the war and include several displays of uniforms and equipment worn by the garrison.

Gallery

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External links