Battlefields / Fortifications

Europe’s history over the centuries is littered with conflict in which great battles were fought. the struggle for power through the ages, religious intolerance, conquering empires and kingdoms would eventually determine what europe is today. Some of those so dramatic that it would have a direct impact on the rest of the world and its history. Early in the twentieth century the rise and unification of powers in europe collied resulting in two world wars which left much destruction and death. So pivotal were these wars that countries from all over the world were forced to aligned with one side or another and even participate in the fighting.

Battles and conflicts took all shapes and sizes, some were gigantic battles fought by thousands over a day to several days.  As Advancing invasion armies approached major cities and fortified military positions a siege could wage on for over a year. As in world war I, fighting in some of these campaigns would last for months. One side could only move their frontal positions several hundred yards after a week of fighting, then loose it all back a month later.

The persecution of religious and ethnic groups would result in slavery, servitude, detention, death and genocide. This would force the persecuted to flee as refugees and others to go into underground resistance fighting.

These historical places can have memorials and monuments in their exact location to mark their place in history. Next to many of them are also the cemeteries of the fallen, castle ruins, etc. that are associated with these battles.

Below are listed sites of fortifications of different classes. Some became parts of old castles or citadel in which a whole city would exists within the fortified walls. Others could be military installations only for the use of the army for defensive purposes.

This table shows battles that had major consequences in determining the history of Europe. What would have Europe been today had the Ottomans’s captured Vienna. Would the most of Europe be under the influence of the Islamic faith? What if Napoleon had defeated the Coalition at Waterloo? Would France’s strength have occupied more of Europe and prohibiting the rise of Germany power, thus thwarting the conflicts that led to World War I? If no World War I would there have been a World War II? So significant where these results that Europe, as it is today, for better or worse, could be very different.   

Locate tour operators that specialize in war remembrance, battlefield & military tours at out ➾ Tour Types post.