Huy fort

Huy fort

Dominating the Meuse and the Hoyoux, the earliest fortifications date from the 11th century. A tower was added in the 12th century, as well as a chapel in the 13th century. This was followed less than half a century later by the towers of Antioche and Damiette. The end of that century saw significant enlargement under Jean de Flandre. Today, the appearance of the fortress as it was at the beginning of the 16th century, due to Erard de la Marck, is preserved only in engravings. The fortress itself was modified in the 17th century, when other forts were added (Fort Rouge, Picard, Joseph and Le Sart). These were built until the beginning of the 18th century. In 1715, the treaty of La Barrière sealed its destruction, with demolition beginning in 1717.

In 1818, the Netherlands decided to rebuild fortifications to be included, along with Dinant, Namur, Liège and Maastricht, in the Mosan line of defence. This required significant earthworks to erect the four main bastions linked by walls 17 metres in height. The bastions were used as storehouses and as accommodation for officers, while the linking walls were reserved for the troops. The fort was decommissioned in 1834. After that, it became a political prison in 1849, before resuming its defensive role in 1880. It was again a prison during the two world wars and through until 1947 when it was finally given over to tourism and established as the National Resistance Memorial.

Building (Huy fort) listed on 5th April 1972

Site (citadel and Mont Picard) listed on 1st October 1976 and extension to Ben-Ahin on 5th December 1983