FORTE CULTURA

European Cultural Route of Fortified Heritage

Experience fortresses

Tag: Second World War

  • Special opening day of the Hornisgrinde bunker (DE)

    Special opening day of the Hornisgrinde bunker (DE)

    Special opening day of the Hornisgrinde Bunker on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the capture of the Hornisgrinde by French troops. The Hornisgrinde Bunker is taking part in the cross-border event series „80 years 1944/45 on the Upper Rhine“ on Sunday, 13 April 2025, from 10:00 am. The opening day commemorates the capture of the Hornisgrinde by French troops on 15 April 1945, after which the French army remained in the area until...

  • Day of Remembrance 1945 in Hatten (FR)

    Day of Remembrance in Hatten in northern Alsace Wreath-laying ceremony, historic vehicles drive past, commemorative event at the cemetery, exhibition with historic pictures and vehicles

  • Commemorative trip to Northern Alsace (FR)

    Commemorative trip with two historic vehicle convoys in northern Alsace, ending in Lauterbourg.

  • Remembrance weekend UNDERTONE and the 2nd liberation (DE/FR)

    From mid-March 1945 to the end of March 1945, Operation UNDERTONE led the Allies through the Siegfried Line to the Rhine and led to the collapse of the German troops west of the Rhine. For northern Alsace and north-eastern Lorraine, the operation was the second liberation after NORDWIND. The commemorative weekend is currently being organised with the following events...

  • Excursion in the Colmar region (FR)

    After French forces reached the Rhine at Mühlhausen and Strasbourg in November 1944, the Alsace bridgehead held by the Wehrmacht protruded like a bulge into the Allied front. Heavy fighting and a relentless winter took a heavy toll on soldiers and non-evacuated civilians. Numerous villages lay in ruins after the fighting....

  • Remembrance weekend NORDWIND, Upper Rhine (DE/FR)

    Following the Battle of the Bulge, the Wehrmacht launched its last major offensive in the west in the night from 31 December 1944 to 1 January 1945 - NORDWIND. The aim was to recapture Strasbourg and win back Alsace with several advances in northern Alsace and north-eastern Lorraine as well as from the Alsace bridgehead. Despite great sacrifices on both sides, both objectives were...

  • Remembrance of the destruction of Küstrin in 1945, Kostrzyn nad Odra (PL)

    Remembrance of the destruction of Küstrin in 1945, Kostrzyn nad Odra (PL)

    Public event in the fortress Kostrzyn nad Odra (PL) to commemorate the almost complete destruction of the city of Küstrin by the Red Army in spring 1945.

  • Excursion, Bitche (FR)

    Excursion, Bitche (FR)

    Excursion (hike) in the Bitsch area, which was heavily contested in December 1944. Fortifications of the Maginot Line were also involved in the fighting. Further information and registration

  • Excursion Strasbourg (FR) - Kehl (DE)

    Excursion Strasbourg (FR) - Kehl (DE)

    Excursion along the two banks of the Rhine near Strasbourg-Kehl to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Strasbourg. Further information and registration

  • Excursion Hardtwald battery (DE)

    Excursion Hardtwald battery (DE)

    Excursion to the Hardtwald battery south of Karlsruhe, whose three gun emplacements for originally 17 cm naval guns were converted at great expense from September 1944 as part of the rearmament of the western fortifications to accommodate 17 cm long-barrelled guns. After the guided tour, you will have the opportunity to visit Regelbau 10 in Rastatt. Further information and registration