Citadel Diest up to 4K HDR

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The Citadel of Diest was built in the mid-19th century as part of the expansion of Diest into a fortified city to strengthen Belgium’s northern border. This was done to prevent the enemy from advancing towards the capital, Brussels, in the event of a possible Dutch attack after Belgium’s separation from the Netherlands in 1830. The construction of the Citadel was the culmination of the fortifications of Diest, following the earlier construction of Fort Leopold, the walls, and the city gates. The fortifications were realized between 1837 and 1856.
The Citadel, situated on the Allerheiligenberg hill, formed an independent bastion that closed off the western side of the walled core of Diest. Lieutenant Colonel J. E. De Lannoy (1799-1889) was responsible for the design. The structure has the shape of a bastioned pentagon with sides of approximately 190 meters. It was surrounded by a dry moat, and an drawbridge was placed in front of the gate. The Citadel covers an area of 28 hectares, with the buildings themselves occupying 10,200 square meters. Its purpose was to stand autonomously during a siege or even the capture of the city. Additionally, it was meant to prevent the enemy from leaving the city and advancing towards Leuven using cannon fire. In times of war, it could provide shelter for approximately 1,200 soldiers. The Citadel has been remarkably well-preserved and is the only remaining example in Flanders. In 1895, the core fortress of Diest was declassified by Royal Decree. The Citadel continued to serve as a defensive fort for the railway for a few more years but underwent the same fate on April 20, 1906. It was then used as a disciplinary company. During the period from 1930 to 1940, it housed a depot of the Third Army Corps. During World War II, the Germans used the Citadel, including as a training school for the NSKK (National Socialist Motor Corps), a paramilitary transport organization of the German Nazi Party. Not only Flemish but also Dutch volunteers were trained there as drivers or co-drivers. After the surrender, the Allies briefly used it as a prison. In 1946, the Ministry of Defense made the Citadel available to the city, which housed 63 emergency homes there. Three years later, various renovations began to prepare the Citadel as housing for the First Parachute Battalion, which arrived on August 2, 19531. The Citadel is a silent witness to Diest’s rich past and a must-see for history enthusiasts!