Fort 5 Edegem
Fort 5 is a polygonal fortress located in Edegem, a municipality in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. It was built between 1859 and 1864 as part of the Brialmont fortifications, a defensive ring around the city of Antwerp designed by the military engineer Henri Alexis Brialmont. Today, Fort 5 serves as a municipal park, nature reserve, and cultural venue.
History
Construction
Fort 5 was one of the first eight forts constructed in a 19th-century defensive ring to protect Antwerp, designated as the "National Redoubt" of Belgium. The fort was designed in a typical polygonal style with thick earthen ramparts, moats, and caponiers for flanking fire. It was intended to withstand siege warfare using mid-19th century artillery technology.According to the Fortengordels heritage project, the fort's structure included a dry moat, underground galleries, and barracks designed for around 300 soldiers, with integrated artillery casemates.
First World War
During the Siege of Antwerp, Fort 5 was heavily bombarded by German artillery on 8 October 1914. It was subsequently captured and used by German forces as a site of execution. A number of civilians and suspected resistance members were shot at the fort during the occupation. A memorial at the fort now commemorates the 16 people executed there.Second World War
In World War II, Fort 5 was again used by German occupying forces, primarily as a storage facility. It did not play a significant defensive role during this conflict.Restoration
Since being acquired by the municipality of Edegem in 1977, Fort 5 has undergone various adaptive reuses. It now hosts cultural organizations, a fencing club, a social economy project, and coworking spaces such as "Bolwerk".The former military hangars on the site have been partially restored, most notably Hangar 23, which received a restoration grant of €478,367 from the Flemish heritage agency. This hangar houses a bioclassroom, municipal storage, and spaces for educational use while maintaining conditions suitable for bat conservation.
Ecology and Public Use
Fort 5 is protected as a European habitat for bats and is part of a designated nature zone. The extensive underground galleries serve as a refuge for several bat species including Daubenton's bat and Bechstein's bat. Public evening bat walks are organized each August.A nature trail and cycling route connect Fort 5 to the adjacent Hof ter Linden estate and the Brialmont cycling network. The glacis hosts an outdoor play area, and guided heritage tours are offered by local cultural organizations.