Bastogne is a city in the Ardennes, near the Belgian-Luxembourg border. It is surrounded by wooded, picturesque hills. In history it was recorded primarily due to the battle of 1944 during the German offensive in the Ardennes.
The history of the city dates back to ancient times, when these areas were inhabited by Gallic tribes. Already in the early Middle Ages there was a market settlement here belonging to the Benedictines from Prum. From the 12th century, the city began to be surrounded by walls, from which a large fragment with gates, called Porte de Trèves, has survived to this day.
Until World War I, Bastogne played an important role in the region due to the cattle market taking place here. The good luck was stopped by the fighting in the Ardennes and the crisis that came after the war.
However, the real misfortune for the city turned out to be World War II. In December 1944, the Germans undertook the last, desperate offensive, which was to lead to the occupation of Antwerp and cutting off the Allies from supply. At that time, troops under General Patton defended themselves in Bastogne. Within 10 days, the city was almost completely razed to the ground. From here, few monuments have survived to this day, and the most important of them, apart from fragments of the defensive walls, is the Romanesque tower of the church of St. Martin.
Bastogne is visited by tourists primarily for souvenirs related to World War II. Near the city is the mausoleum of American soldiers, Mardasson Memorial. In the War Museum, you can see military equipment and other memorabilia from the siege period. The barracks administered by the Belgian army include a tank exhibition, and undergrounds are open to the public, while the small Museum of the 101st Paratrooper Regiment shows the fate of Allied soldiers fighting during the siege.
