The continent of Europe has seen more than its fair share of war and bloodshed over the years. However the significance of its military history and the impact these wars have had on contemporary Europe cannot be denied. Join us as we explore Europe’s most sacred battlefields and listen to their stories.
1. Normandy Beach: The D-Day Landings
Operation Overlord was an Allied response to the invasion of France by Nazi forces. Part of this included landing Allied soldiers on the shores of Normandy, to gain a foothold in the area overtaken by occupying forces. The surprise beach landings became a turning point in the War, forever known as D-Day.
Thousands of soldiers were seriously injured or lost their lives on Normandy’s beaches. You can learn more about the courage of these fallen heroes by visiting the Omaha Beach landing sites and American Cemetery.
Better yet, take one of the Band of Brothers Tours. They include all the key points of the D-day landings and tell the stories of the heroes who fought there.
2. he Alps: The Italian Front
While there’s always a lot of interest in World War II, World War I was the very first time in history that almost the whole world was at war with each other on a grand scale. And the most treacherous of these battles was fought in the Italian Alps.
The mountains gave the Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces the advantage of higher ground, although they also posed natural barriers and challenging terrain. Want to know more? There are numerous tours and activities in the region around key sites like the Monte Grappa Memorial and Asiago Plateau.
And if you decide to do some backpacking of your own, you’re in luck. Hiking and wild camping are acceptable throughout much of the region. However, ensure that you train for backpacking to build endurance before embarking on your journey.
3. The Somme: A Testament to Sacrifice
The Battle of the Somme was another World War I battle, which took place on the sides and upper reaches of France’s River Somme. It is an especially haunting part of the War, as the death toll was shockingly high — more than one million casualties.
Intended to bring a victory for the Allies, it is remembered instead as one of the deadliest battles in human history. This bloody battle in 1916 is also known for the change in wartime battle tactics, to the use of tanks and attrition warfare (gradually wearing down the enemy).
Key points of interest include the Thiepval Memorial and the Ulster Tower. Thousands of Allied soldiers still lie buried in the surroundings of the Somme.
4. Verdun: The Battlefield of Attrition
The Battle of Verdun was a World War I engagement where the French countered a major German offensive. It lasted from February to December of 1916 and was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Great War, with hundreds of thousands of casualties.
If you wish to discover more about World War I’s first deliberate battle of attrition, there are several tours and exhibitions dedicated to it. Fort Douaumont and the Verdun Memorial are key sites to visit.
5. Ypres: The Heart of Flanders Fields
Ypres and the surrounding Ypres Salient played a key role during the First World War’s Western Front. Three battles took place here, in western Flanders. Flanders fields saw much bloodshed during this time.
By holding on to Ypres and its surrounding regions, the Allies managed to keep a distance between themselves and the advancing German army. Notable places to visit to learn more about this, include Menin Gate, and the ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum.
Flanders’ Fields are also the topic of one of history’s most famous wartime poems, written by Canadian officer and surgeon John McCrae.
6. Waterloo: The Fall of Napoleon
Napoleon met his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo (in Belgium) in 1815. This destroyed Napoleon’s reign of imperial power, ushered in a new political era in Europe, and reshaped the political landscape. After his defeat, Napoleon abdicated and was forced into exile.
You can find out more about this fascinating period of Europe’s history by going on Waterloo-centered tours and visiting sites like the Waterloo Battlefield and Lion’s Mound.
Belgium is also a great destination for a family adventure. So, if you’ve been keen on taking your kids along on a historical adventure vacation, this could be the one.
Closing Thoughts on Europe’s Most Sacred Battlefields
Europe’s most sacred battlefields include the site where Napoleon met his defeat, the bloody killing fields of World War I, and the sites of the fight against tyranny of World War II.
Visiting these historic sites will teach you about the wars that shaped Europe. But it will do more than that. While the soldiers who fought in the wars may be gone, journeying through Europe’s battlefields will allow you to catch their echoes of courage that remain.