E N T U RY TRACES O F T H R E E W ARS IN H E U V E L L A N D

Heuvelland is the only municipality in Flanders where there are still traces of the three great conflicts of the previous century Inspired by the book The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century, 1914-1991 by the famous British historian Eric Hobsbawn, H e u ve l l a n d To u r i s m h a s p a n i e d by a specialist guide, you will visit the following three sites:

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W W I : B AY E R N WA L D :

The Germans captured this 40 metre-high strategic location in 1914 and turned it into an impregnable fortress, which they held until the summer of 1917. The ingenious trench system at Bayernwald was the German answer to the mining threat posed by their British opponents Part of this system has been accurately reconstructed. Its listening shafts, trenches and four bunkers tell the story of the war from the German side.

Increasing German militarism during the 1930s forced France to build a new defensive line along its frontier The brain behind this plan was the French Minister of War, André Maginot, a decorated veteran from the Great War. He died in 1932 but the new fortifications were named after him posthumously The Maginot bunker on the Black Mountain is of the S10 type and was known as Ermitage Sud (Hermitage South)

C O L D WA R : T H E C O M M A N D B U N K E R

After WWII, France, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg decided to develop a joint air defence system Three huge underground bunkers were constructed as part of this system, with one of them – in Kemmel, started in 1952 – serving as the command post. The guide will conduct you through two of the underground levels, where some of the more than 50 rooms have been turned into a museum Wherever possible, the rooms have been left as they were during the Cold War, so that you can sample the authentic 1950s atmosphere. All the locations in this arrangement can be visited individually.

 e Charm of He uvelland : An Und isco vere d Be lg ian Jewel

Tucked away in the heart of Western Flanders, Belg ium, is an enchanting locale that effortlessly marries beaut y, histor y, and culture : the captivating reg ion of Heuvelland Oen overlooked for more renowned Belg ian destinations, Heuvelland's pastoral allure and rich tapestr y of experiences hold an uncharted appeal for e ver y t ype of traveler.

Heuvelland, which translates to "Hill Countr y, " earns its name from the picturesque hills dotting its landscape, forming a mesmerizing tableau of vine yards, forests, and meadows is striking topog raphy makes Heuvelland an idyllic retreat for nature enthusiasts Hikers and c yclists are enticed by a net work of trails that unravel the reg ion's stunning natural beaut y, while the Bayernwald Trenches and Pool of Peace are haunting remnants of the Great War that histor y aficionados will find intrig uing

For g astronomes, the reg ional cuisine and wine are delig htful reasons to visit. Heuvelland's rolling vine yards are not just a feast for the e yes, but the y also contribute to the reg ion's impressive wine heritag e Embarking on a wine tour offers the opportunit y to sample an array of locallyproduced wines, a testament to Heuvelland's thriving viticulture. Coupled with the reg ion's traditional Belg ian cuisine, a culinar y exploration in Heuvelland promises to be a feast for the senses

One can ' t speak about Heuvelland without mentioning its vibrant culture Annual e vents like the "Peace Concert" at the St. Laurentius Church or the whimsical "Cat Parade" in Ypres showcase the reg ion's cultural richness e y offer immersive experiences into the local way of life, allowing visitors to participate in traditions that have been passed down throug h g enerations

One of Heuvelland's standout historical sites is

Bayernwald, a ke y strateg ic location during World War I. e Germans captured this 40-meter-hig h spot in 1914, transforming it into an impreg nable fortress held until the summer of 1917. Its cle verly constructed trench system was the German counteraction to the mining threat posed by the British Today, visitors can explore a faithfully reconstructed portion of this system, including its listening shas, trenches, and four bunkers, providing an insig ht into the war from the German perspective

Fast for ward to World War II, and the Mag inot bunker on the Zwarteberg , or Black Mountain, narrates another fascinating chapter of Heuvelland's histor y. Built as a response to rising German militarism in the 1930s, this bunker was part of a French defensive line conceived by André Mag inot, a decorated Great War veteran. e bunker, known as Ermitag e Sud, is a tang ible testament to Europe's tumultuous past.

Further along the timeline, the Command Bunker in Kemmel represents an era of unit y and cooperation. Built in the 1950s, this vast underg round complex was part of a joint air defence system de veloped by France,

Great Britain, Belg ium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg in the aermath of WWII

Today, visitors can tour the bunker's t wo underg round le vels, with over 50 rooms transformed into a museum.

e preser ved 1950s interiors offer a nostalg ic g limpse into the Cold War era

Heuvelland's rich historical sites can be visited individually, inviting explorers to embark on a journe y throug h time in this verdant Belg ian reg ion. Whether you ' re a histor y buff, nature enthusiast, or a curious traveler, Heuvelland awaits, offering a captivating blend of natural beaut y, historical depth, and cultural richness w ww.to erismeheuvelland.b e