Atlantic Wall open-air museum, Ostend

Name: Atlantic Wall open-air museum
Address: Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 636, Ostend, 8400, Belgium
Telephone: +32 59 70 22 85

#2 among attractions in Ostend

Top attraction, Museum, Regional park, Military museum

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Facts and practical information

The Atlantic Wall Open-Air Museum in Ostend, Belgium, offers a unique glimpse into the coastal fortifications built by Nazi Germany during World War II. This historical site is part of the extensive Atlantic Wall defense system, which stretched along the western coast of Europe. The museum preserves a significant section of this formidable barrier, providing visitors with an immersive experience of wartime history.

The Atlantic Wall in Ostend is a testament to the military engineering of the era, featuring bunkers, gun emplacements, and other defensive structures. It was constructed to prevent an allied invasion, which ultimately occurred further west in Normandy. Today, the open-air museum serves as a solemn reminder of the conflict and the lives affected by it.

Visitors to the museum can walk through the preserved defenses and gain insight into the daily lives of the soldiers stationed there. Informational plaques and guided tours offer context and stories behind the concrete and steel remnants. The site not only educates about military strategies but also about the broader implications of war on society.

Local name: Musée du mur de l'Atlantique Coordinates: 51°12'7"N, 2°50'55"E

Address

Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 636Ostend 8400 Belgium

Contact

+32 59 70 22 85

Website

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Ostend

Day trips

Atlantic Wall open-air museum – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Fort Napoleon, Mu.ZEE, Lange Nelle, Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk.

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