Border Centre Welkenraedt

The Border Centre in Welkenraedt tells the eventful story of a municipality that was once an important border post between Prussia, Belgium and the neutral state of Moresnet. The exhibition covers the smuggling trade, the two world wars, French-German migration flows and the remarkable multilingualism of this region. For anyone interested in the complex history of the Belgian East Cantons and the Three Country Point, this is an essential small museum.

The Border Centre is set in a renovated former station building and is fully step-free. The main entrance has automatic doors and a level connection to the pavement. Inside you find a spacious exhibition hall on the ground floor with adapted interactive screens at different heights. The audio guides are available in Dutch, French, German and English and are also suitable for people with motor impairments.

An accessible toilet is located beside the reception. The museum shop is fully level and offers books on local history, smuggling stories and regional products. By the centre there is a small car park with two reserved disabled spaces right next to the main entrance. Welkenraedt station, a hundred metres away, is also wheelchair-friendly with a lift and adapted platforms.

A visit to the Border Centre is an ideal starting point for a journey of discovery through eastern Belgium. Combine it with a trip to Eupen, a visit to the Three Country Point at Vaals (where the accessible viewing tower offers views over three countries), or a walk in the Hertogenwald. For lovers of regional products, the annual market in Welkenraedt, with its level market square, is a recommendation.