Fortengordels: cooperation of fortresses around Antwerp, one of the largest fortress belts in Europe

Fortengordels is a network of the fortresses around Antwerp, also better known as the Fortress Belt (inner and outer circle) built between 1859 and 1914. These military structures show the strategic importance of Antwerp as ‘a National Reduit’ (last refuge for national government and armed forces)
Fortengordels is a unique platform bringing together various instruments: (1) management and development of general vision (among Framework plan) in development of the fortresses with translation to actions / projects in the field such as touristic gates, restoration … (2) Way of communication: common corporate identity / branding, website and facebook (3) Touristic: design of touristic gates, touristic routes, organisation annual event in May with circa 10.000 visitors (4) Way for funding: Flemish funding as a strategic project, EU funding: for example Interreg FLGP, AT-FORT …
Fortengordels is a common participative approach – giving a tool in cooperation on all levels and bringing together the many different actors involved in this special heritage: dozens of private owners, managers, municipalities, associations and volunteers. – led by the Province of Antwerp as director and the driving force in the period between 2009 and 2018 (phase 1).
In the current situation (phase 2) the Province has no longer an active role in the cooperation and coordination has been transferred to the Fortress Community with the ambition to grow into an organized structure (in four years time).