Fort Leopold - Diest

Because Diest played an important role in the defense of the newly established kingdom of Belgium, the city was gradually surrounded by a polygonal fortification, twelve bastions and deep moats in 1837-1844.

However, the hills in the north of the city between Schaffen and Molenstede formed a weak link in the defense.
In order to protect the roads to Beringen, Tessenderlo and Turnhout and the terrain between the Schaffense and Hasseltsepoort, the small Fort Leopold (with 94 rooms) was built on the Lazarijberg.
It would also form a buffer against a possible enemy attack from the Kempen.

The fort therefore had a double mission: on the one hand to prevent the city from being shelled from the plateau in front, and on the other hand to protect the northern city front from a possible attack. In order to keep the area under fire on all sides, a two-storey tower fort was chosen on a circular floor plan with the open throat side facing the city.

Blauwkruikje