Namur Citadel was built to protect the junction of the Meuse and Sambre rivers. Probably fortified in the Roman period, today’s citadel was largely built in the middle ages and evolved to be one of Europe’s largest fortresses. The boundary enclosed the residence of the Counts of Namur and included a church and extensive rooms for entertaining as well as defensive works.
Improvements in artillery led to the addition of a bastioned structure above the original citadel, known as the Median. A third phase of development is known as the Terra Nova (new ground). The Citadel remained occupied by the army until 1977.
Underground are many underground feautures, including tunnels for the access road, ammunition magazines, artillery casemates, sally ports and countermine galleries.
The citadel can be visited all year round both above and below ground. The underground tour includes around 500 metres of passage. Sub Brit was lucky in 2003 to be given permission to explore well beyond the public route.