Fort de la Chartreuse

Rue Achille Lebeau 4030, 4030 Liège, België

History

Origins: From Monastery to Fortress (14th – 19th Century)
The origins of Fort La Chartreuse trace back to 1360, when it began its life as a Carthusian monastery on Mont Cornillon. The quiet, religious function of the site ended in the early 19th century when, following the Belgian Revolution and shifting regional power, King William I of the Netherlands ordered its transformation into a military fortification. In 1817, construction began on the fortress we see remnants of today. Its elevated position overlooking the Meuse River made it a strategic location to monitor and defend the city of Liège, especially during a period of continental tension and fortification throughout Europe.

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Strategic Use Through Conflict (19th – Early 20th Century)
Fort La Chartreuse served as part of the Meuse citadel defense system, complementing other forts surrounding Liège. It played a defensive role during the Belgian Revolution (1830) and later became part of a broader network of fortifications that grew increasingly obsolete as artillery and military strategy evolved. Though outdated by the late 19th century, the site was repurposed for various military uses.

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World Wars and Occupation (1914–1945)
During World War I, the fort was occupied by German forces, who converted it into a military prison and hospital. Many prisoners of war, resistance fighters, and political detainees passed through its cells. A similar fate awaited the fort in World War II, when the German army again took over the site. The Allies eventually reclaimed it in 1944, and the fort was briefly used by American forces as a field hospital and barracks during the final push into Nazi-occupied Europe.

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Post-War and Abandonment (1945–1980s)
After WWII, Fort La Chartreuse lost its military significance but continued to serve as Belgian army barracks through the mid-20th century. By the 1980s, it was completely decommissioned and left to decay. Without regular upkeep or new use, the fortress slowly succumbed to nature, vandalism, and time.

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Current State and Urbex Appeal
Today, urban explorers and photographers flock to Fort La Chartreuse to capture its decayed beauty. Moss creeps across walls that once echoed with soldiers' footsteps, and shattered windows throw fractured light into rooms now filled with silence. Layers of graffiti mix with remnants of original brickwork and concrete. The upper floors, having suffered from decades of neglect, are structurally unstable and pose serious hazards, adding an element of risk to any exploration.

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Despite its dilapidated state, Fort La Chartreuse remains one of Belgium’s most iconic abandoned military sites, offering a powerful glimpse into both its religious roots and war-scarred evolution.