Bastogne, Belgium

Bastogne is a small town in southern Belgium, located near the border with Luxembourg.

It was first mentioned in the 7th century. Thanks to its location along major trade routes, the town grew rapidly during the Middle Ages and eventually earned town status.

Bastogne is famous for the events of World War II. In the winter of 1944, heavy battles took place here. Although the town was completely surrounded, it held out and became a symbol of resilience.

The main sights are the Bastogne War Museum and the Mardasson Memorial—a star-shaped monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers. They are located right next to each other.

A knocked-out Sherman tank stands in the town’s main square, and combat trenches can still be found in the surrounding forests today.

Today, the town primarily attracts visitors through its monuments and museums dedicated to wartime history.