Raversijde – Oostende

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Raversijde: the Atlantic Wall museum

The Atlantic Wall was an extensive system of coastal defences and fortifications built by Nazi Germany between 1942 and 1944 along the coast of continental Europe as a defence against an anticipated Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe from the United Kingdom, during World War II.

Oostende: the museum ships Mercator and Amandine

The Mercator is an impressing historical three-master sailing ship, moored in Ostend’s marina since 1960, commissioned in 1931  and built to a design by Adrien de Gerlache (Belgian Antarctic explorer 1898) in Scotland. The ship was built to provide practical training for future merchant marine officers, as well as, to a lesser extent, machinists, sailors and cooks. On board there was a maximum of 100 men (regular crew and apprentices).
The Mercator was owned by the Belgian state (1932-1994), but operated by the “Hogere Zeevaartschool” of Antwerp from 1932 to 1960. It is a protected monument with many thousands of visitors each year.

The Amandine is a piece of maritime heritage, which gives you a good idea of the rough life of an Icelandic fisherman. Various scenes depict the activities on the boat. An intense experience for all the senses!