10,000 visitors explore bunkers across 23 municipalities during Bunkerdag

Bunkerdag, an event dedicated to exploring military heritage, drew 10,000 visitors across 23 municipalities in Belgium. The 7th edition of the event, organized by the provincial domain Atlantikwall Raversyde and the province of West Flanders, opened bunkers and defensive structures normally closed to the public. Visitors could discover sites from World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, including parts of the Atlantic Wall.

Events across Flanders featured guided tours, re-enactments, and demonstrations. "Bunkerdag is a strong event that bridges history and the present, people and nature," said deputy Jurgen Vanlerberghe. "Bunkers and bunker sites tell stories of courage, survival, and the human experience in times of conflict. Those stories clearly resonate."

Mathieu de Meyer, director of Atlantikwall Raversyde, noted the event's dependence on weather. "We had the gods of weather on our side today," he said. "Many activities were fully booked. The freely accessible bunker sites attracted many interested and curious people thanks to the good weather. Some people make a full day of it, visiting multiple sites."

Organizers are already planning the next edition, aiming for two years from now, based on the success of this year's event. The diverse attendance, with visitors from different regions exploring various sites, indicates a broad appeal for military history.

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Bunkerdag is een sterk evenement en slaat de brug tussen geschiedenis en actualiteit, mens en natuur. Bunkers en bunkersites brengen verhalen over moed, overleving en de menselijke ervaring in tijden van conflict. Die verhalen spreken duidelijk aan.