Museum van het Kamp van Beverlo

Museum of Kamp van Beverlo in Leopoldsburg tells the story of one of the most significant sites in Belgian military history — a military camp founded in 1835 that eventually gave rise to an entire town. The museum is housed at Hechtelsesteenweg 9, inside a former military hospital dating from 1850, and since 1982 has occupied four large former hospital wards along with a 175-metre corridor of this historic building.

Where did the camp — and the town — come from?

Kamp van Beverlo was established in 1835 as the first permanent military camp of the Belgian army. Choosing the sandy, sparsely populated heathland of the Kempen region made practical sense: the terrain was well suited to large-scale field exercises while remaining away from major urban centres. As the camp grew and attracted soldiers, officials and suppliers, a settlement gradually formed around it, eventually becoming an independent municipality. It was named Leopoldsburg in honour of Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians — a naming choice that reflects just how closely the town's fate was tied to the camp itself.

What can visitors see inside?

The exhibition guides visitors through the successive chapters of the camp's existence: from its 19th-century origins, through both World Wars, into the Cold War era, and up to the post-war overseas operations of the Belgian armed forces. The collection includes scale models of the camp's terrain and buildings, archival documents, photographs, weapons, uniforms, and everyday objects used by soldiers stationed at Beverlo over nearly two centuries.

One of the rooms is dedicated to the history of military medicine, displaying historical hospital beds, X-ray machines and surgical instruments — a fitting tribute to the building's original function as a military hospital. Another part of the exhibition documents one of the darkest chapters in the camp's history: the night-time bombing raid of 28 May 1944, carried out by 334 British aircraft, which caused extensive destruction.

Why visit?

The Museum of Kamp van Beverlo offers a rare chance to trace how a nearly two-hundred-year-old military decision shaped an entire town — its layout, its name, and its identity. It is also a compelling stop for anyone interested in military history, field medicine, and Belgium's experience of both World Wars, all told through the lens of a single garrison town.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? At Hechtelsesteenweg 9 in Leopoldsburg, inside a former military hospital building dating from 1850.

When was the camp the museum covers founded? In 1835, as the first permanent military camp of the Belgian army.

How did the camp lead to the founding of a town? The camp's growth drew both civilians and military personnel, eventually leading to the creation of a separate municipality, Leopoldsburg, named after King Leopold I.

Which historical periods does the exhibition cover? From the camp's 19th-century founding through both World Wars, the Cold War, and up to modern-day overseas missions of the Belgian armed forces.

What can visitors see beyond military artifacts? A room dedicated to historical military medical equipment, including hospital beds and X-ray machines.