Bastenaken

Bastogne is primarily known for the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. After the Allied forces had liberated most of Belgium, parts of the German Wehrmacht launched a desperate offensive toward the Meuse. Bastogne, defended by an American unit under the command of General Anthony McAuliffe, was surrounded by the German army for three weeks. The Americans held their ground. When a German negotiator came to ask him to surrender, McAuliffe curtly replied "Nuts," which means "nonsense" in American English. The Germans, who were only familiar with standard English, did not understand this response. This led to Bastogne being nicknamed "Nuts City."

At the Bastogne Historical Center on the Mardasson Hill, there is a large exhibition about the war history. Additionally, there is a star-shaped war monument that offers a wide view of the surrounding area.

Other attractions in Bastogne include the Romanesque Eglise Saint-Pierre and the medieval Porte de Treves.

Bastogne is the turning point of the cycling classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

(source: wikipedia)

Sarah De Keyzer