Fort Breendonk is a military fortification situated at Breendonk, near Mechelen in Belgium.

Best known for its role as a Nazi prison camp during the German occupation of Belgium during World War II.

Although technically a prison rather than a concentration camp. The fort was famous for its prisoners’ poor living conditions and for the use of torture.

Most prisoners who were detained at the camp were later transferred to larger concentration camps in Eastern Europe.

Of the 3,590 prisoners known to have been imprisoned at Breendonk 303 died or were executed within the fort itself. 

Envisage what it was like during those terrible times. Remember the people who were treated with the utter disrespect under that regime until those that made it were repatriated.

The present castle was built in 1180 by count Philip of Alsace.

It was reconstructed from the crusaders castles that Philip of Alsace encountered while he participated in the second crusade.

Before its construction, there stood a wooden castle on the same location, presumably built in the ninth century.

The castle served as the seat of the Counts of Flanders until they abandoned it in the 14th century.  It was then used as a courthouse, a prison and eventually decayed.

In 1885 the city of Ghent bought the castle and started a renovation project. The castle was restored initially in 1893.

The castle has been repaired enough to allow people to travel through it. They can climb on top and is still partly surrounded by the moat.

Inside is a museum with various torture devices and a guillotine that were historically used in Ghent.

The Belgian waffle-making workshop in Belgium offers an immersive culinary experience, allowing participants to learn the art of crafting authentic Belgian waffles from scratch.

Set in a charming and historical venue, often a cozy kitchen or a traditional Belgian home, the workshop is led by experienced chefs who share their expertise and passion for this beloved national treat.

Attendees are guided through the entire process, from mixing the perfect batter to achieving the ideal texture and golden crispness on a waffle iron.

Along the way, they learn about the different types of Belgian waffles, such as the light and airy Brussels waffle and the denser, sweeter Liège waffle, made with pearl sugar.

The hands-on experience is complemented by fascinating insights into the history and cultural significance of Belgian waffles, making the workshop not only educational but also deeply enriching.

Participants leave with their own batch of delicious waffles and the skills to recreate them at home, along with cherished memories of their culinary adventure in Belgium.