Deurne

Fort 3 has seen better days. It is now mainly used as a warehouse and recreation area. The Zoom road around the Fort, which we will follow, gives an idea of the 35 ha of land area that each fort possessed. In a painting from 1863 we see that Fort 3 is the only fort that was built according to the original concept of Brialmont.

Until WWI, the occupation of an average fort amounted to about 7 to 800 men, and during the mobilization this could be increased to 2000 soldiers.
During WW II, Fort 3 was taken by the German occupiers who adjusted the machine guns of the aircraft on this domain. After all, the Germans had housed their aircraft factory 'Erla Werken' in the Antwerp Minerva factory. In order to be able to take off from Antwerp, they also laid the first real concrete runway at deurne airport. In 1944 the fort will be heavily damaged by V2 flying bombs.

The domain now serves as a relaxation area for many residents of Borsbeek, the 32 ha domain is ideal for walks in partly untouched nature.
The wild aspect of the greenery here and there is a consciously made choice, to promote the preservation and restoration of natural biotopes. Above all, the entire fort is a green lung for the entire environment and a perfect barrier against the still expanding city. The main front building and the capponières, together with the fort moat and a plot outside the canal are managed by Natuurpunt vzw.
The buildings are important as a wintering place for about 150 bats.

Gregorio14