Fort van Breendonk

About the museum

Fort van Breendonk is a concrete armoured fort from the early 20th century, built as part of the ring of forts around Antwerp. In 1914, at the start of the First World War, the fort took a battering when the German army attacked the fortress of Antwerp.

Breendonk earned its grim reputation in the Second World War. In the summer of 1940 the Sipo-SD began to convert the abandoned fort into an Auffanglager (holding camp), a prison for Jews, resistance fighters and political opponents of the Nazi regime. The first prisoners arrived on 20 September 1940; a torture chamber was added in 1942. Around 3,600 people were held there, of whom 184 were executed and 94 died of hunger, ill-treatment or disease. Around 2,800 were deported to other camps, and fewer than half of all prisoners survived the war.

After the Liberation the fort was used as a prison for collaborators until June 1947. Since 1947 the site has been transformed into the Nationaal Gedenkteken Fort van Breendonk (National Memorial Fort van Breendonk). Since 2017 it has been part of the War Heritage Institute.

During the visit you walk through the places where it all happened: the tunnel, the dormitories, the isolation cells, the wooden barracks, the yard, the shower room and latrines, the torture chamber and the execution site. Testimonies, photographs and film footage give a face to the prisoners and their guards.

Highlights

• One of the best-preserved Nazi camps in Europe
• Route through the tunnel, dormitories, isolation cells and yard
• Torture chamber and execution site
• Audio guide with testimonies, about two hours of material
• Free wheelchairs and a route for blind and visually impaired visitors
• Educational package for primary schools

Permanent exhibition

• Nationaal Gedenkteken Fort van Breendonk – Route through the former SS holding camp with dormitories, isolation cells, torture chamber and execution site, with testimonies, photographs and film footage.

Founded

1947

Operated by

War Heritage Institute

Admission & discounts

Booking a time slot online is recommended, as this guarantees that your audio guide will be available. With the museumPASSmusées admission is free. Groups and schools book by email at booking@breendonk.be.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

People with limited mobility or in a wheelchair can visit the memorial; reception staff open certain doors on request. Wheelchairs are available free of charge. For blind and visually impaired visitors there is a separate route (call +32 3 860 75 27). Animals are not permitted, but assistance dogs are.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

The memorial shows the history of a Nazi camp; children aged 6 to 18 pay the youth rate. For schools there is an educational offer, including a package for the third stage of primary school.

Getting there & parking

For GPS, enter Dendermondsesteenweg 309, 2830 Willebroek.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit