Fort Breendonk Concentration Camp, Belgium

We planned a halt at Fort Breendonk while on our way to Atomium. It was a good opportunity for me to see the concentration camp of the Germans. Breendonk was a waiting camp designed to receive Jews and political prisoners before their transfer to Germany. The first prisoners arrived on September 20th, 1940.

Initially the conditions of life were very difficult but still tolerable. But after the German troops invaded Russia (June 1941), the German guards were reinforced by Belgian guards and the treatment was inhuman. The lack of food became so severe that several prisoners tried to eat grass. Executions by hanging or shooting were common.

Fort Breendonk Concentration Camp Brussels Belgium

Fort Breendonk Concentration Camp Brussels Belgium

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From what I read, the prisoners had to live in bunkers built of concrete which were always very cold and damp. They were provided only two sanitary tubs for over twenty prisoners. Medical care was deficient. The regime was worse than in most other Nazi camps because the number of prisoners to keep watch on and to harass was small.

Inmates were mostly – Jews, political prisoners, resistance members, hostages. Tortures, beltings, hangings and shootings were common in Breendonk. It is unsure how many prisoners died or were killed in Breendonk but recent research estimates their number at about 300.

Concentration Camp in Belgium

The fort is open throughout the year except on two days, Jan 1st and Dec 25th. Since my daughters had covered World War lessons in their History subjects, I thought it a great opportunity to show them the concentration camp.

We reached the fort and to our disappointment then, found it closed. None the sites we referred mentioned its closure. As we stood at the closed gate the official there came out to inform us that it has been closed for maintenance for three days. “You could have called up once before coming”, he said. He sounded a little surprised when he came to know we were tourists from India.

Disappointed we strolled around the place for a while. We saw some statues, one was The Political Prisoner (1947) by Idel Ianchelevici, I am not sure what the other statue represented. Please let me know in comment box if you are aware.

The Political Prisoner (1947) by Idel Ianchelevici at Breendonk

The Political Prisoner (1947) by Idel Ianchelevici at Breendonk

How to reach Breendonk: If you don’t have a car look up the bus timetable for bus route 460 leaving from central Brussels, a distance of 38.2 km. Runs every hour there and back, only 45 min journey.

Sculpture in Breendonk

Sculpture in Breendonk

Fort Breendonk Tourism Information

Address: Brandstraat 57, 2830 Willebroek, Belgium
Google Coordinates: 51.05651553321059, 4.341324653971889
Other names: SS-Auffanglager Breendonk
Timings: Open everyday 9.30 AM to 5,30 PM
Tickets: Adults, 19 years and above – 11 Euros, Ages 6 to 18 – 9 Euros.
Time required: 2 hours

Things to Do near Breendonk

Atomium is located 20 km south of Breendonk. Brussels Atomium Entry Ticket with Free Design Museum Ticket

Antwerp is 20.3 km north of Breendonk.

Conclusion

Later seeing the pictures of the torture rooms, the cells, the isolation cells, the wooden barracks, the yard, the shower room and latrines, the torture chamber, the execution ground in the Breendonk concentration camp in websites I felt it was okay to miss it.

When I saw the Thursday Challenge theme: DISTANT (Things Photographed from Far Away), I was reminded how I got the photograph of this fort from far away!

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