Fort of Bavaria in Koolkerke

In the past, the Fort of Bavaria stood here in Koolkerke. Now, only a few flooded moats can be seen.

The fort was designed at the beginning of the 18th century by the French architect Vauban. It was part of a grand project that envisioned a complete renovation of the defensive walls of Bruges.

The French sent Vauban to Bruges to defend the city against the northern armies. The Fort of Bavaria was part of that project. The fort had the shape of a 5-star and housed five battalions. The fort was never attacked and after 1706, when Flanders was occupied by the English and the Dutch, the fort became useless. In 1715, Flanders came under Austrian rule. The last soldiers left in 1748. The fort was last used during the Second World War by the Germans.

Dromos