Fort Liefkenshoek

Fort Liefkenshoek lies on the left bank of the Scheldt, near Kallo and the entrance to the port of Antwerp. The fort was first built in the sixteenth century to control shipping on the Scheldt and played a role in both the Eighty Years' War and the Belgian Revolution. Today it is a museum that recounts the complex military and social history of the Scheldt, with attention to life inside the fort, smuggling, quarantine and war. Its setting between the harbour infrastructure and the nature of the Scheldt estuary makes a visit all the more striking.

Accessibility is partial. The visitor centre at the entrance is wheelchair-accessible and offers an audiovisual introduction to the history. The outer ramparts and fort grounds are partly laid out with semi-paved paths and partly with grass: easy to visit in dry weather but less suitable for some routes after rain. The underground passages and bastions are not accessible due to narrow passages and stairs. An accessible toilet is provided in the visitor centre, and there is a spacious car park with accessible spaces.

Fort Liefkenshoek is reached via the Liefkenshoek tunnel and the N451 along the Scheldt. The museum is open from spring to autumn and regularly hosts theme days and family activities. Combining it with a visit to Fort Lillo on the opposite bank of the Scheldt makes a fine round trip along the preserved forts of the Antwerp defences.