Fort Breendonk is a fortification built in 1906 as part of the second ring of defenses of the Réduit national around the city of Antwerp, Belgium. Originally one in a chain of fortresses constructed to enable the government to defend the city of Antwerp, which would serve as the main headquarters in times of war, Breendonk was near the town of the same name, about 12 miles southwest of Antwerp. It was covered by a five metre thick layer of soil for defense against bombings, a water-filled moat and measured 656 by 984 feet.