The Fort de la Chartreuse, perched majestically on the heights of Liège, is much more than a simple historical monument: it is a living testimony to the city's defense through the ages. After serving for over 150 years, this imposing fort is now abandoned, left at the mercy of encroaching vegetation and graffiti adorning its walls. Yet, despite its dilapidated state, the fort and its park remain open to the public for free, attracting the curiosity of many visitors seeking adventure and history to discover.
The history of the Fort de la Chartreuse goes back a long way. In 1124, canons of the Premonstratensian Order established a monastery on these same heights of Liège. In 1360, the monastery passed into the hands of the Order of the Carthusians, which gave it its current name.
However, the fort as we know it today was built in 1817, during the Dutch period. It was named in honor of the Order of the Carthusians, whose legacy it continues.
Throughout its eventful existence, the fort has served various purposes. It was used as a simple barracks starting in 1891, then transformed into a German prison during World War I (1914-1918). Later, during World War II, it served as a military hospital for the American army in 1944. Finally, it was reassigned as a Belgian military training center.
In 1981, the fort was officially decommissioned, and its gates were permanently closed in 1988. Since then, this fortress steeped in history seems to silently watch over the city, an impressive relic of the past that continues to captivate the imagination of those who dare to venture onto its grounds.
