The Fort de la Chartreuse, perched majestically on the heights of Liège, is much more than just a historical monument: it is a living testimony to the defense of the city through the ages. After serving for more than 150 years, this imposing fort is now abandoned, left at the mercy of the invasive vegetation and the graffiti that adorns its walls. However, despite its dilapidated state, the fort and its park remain open to the public free of charge, attracting the curiosity of many visitors in search of adventure and history to discover.
The history of the Chartreuse fort 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 Carthusian Order, which gave it its current name.
However, the fort as we know it today was erected in 1817, during the Dutch period. It was named in honor of the Carthusian Order, whose legacy it perpetuates.
During its eventful existence, the fort has had various functions. It was used as a simple barracks from 1891, then transformed into a German prison during the First World War (1914-1918). Later, during the Second World War, 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 closed for good in 1988. Since then, this fortress steeped in history seems to silently watch over the city, an impressive vestige of the past that continues to capture the imagination of those who dare to venture onto its grounds.
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