Citadel of Dinant, Dinant

Today we continued our sightseeing and went to the Dinant Citadel by cable car. The citadel was built in 1815 on the site previously fortified in the 10th century and overlooks Dinant and the strategic Meuse River.

Dinant has origins dating back to the 7th century and was already populated in Neolithic, Celtic and Roman times. Meaning “Sacred Valley”, its strategic location on the River Meuse exposed Dinant to battle and pillage throughout the centuries.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, wars between France and Spain, Dinant suffered destruction, famine and epidemics, despite its neutrality. In 1675, the French army occupied the city and it was briefly taken by the Austrians at the end of the 18th century.

The city suffered devastation again at the beginning of the First World War. On 15 August 1914, French and German troops fought for the town in the Battle of Dinant; among the wounded was Lieut. Charles de Gaulle. On 23 August, 674 inhabitants were summarily executed by Saxon troops of the German Army - the biggest massacre committed by the Germans in 1914. None of those responsible for these massacres were brought to justice after the war.

The citadel presents the history of Dinant in such a unique and interesting way with mini movies, sensory room experiences, photographs, models and replicas of the living conditions and bunkers. They honour those killed in the massacre ensuring they are never forgotten. It is an amazing experience and a very informative one., with the added bonus of amazing views over the town below.Read more