Vesting Bourtange

Bourtange is a fortified village in the far northeast of the Netherlands, in the province of Groningen, near the German border, and it is one of the best-preserved and most carefully restored star-shaped fortresses in the country. It was founded in 1593, during the Eighty Years' War, to control the only road across the marshes between Germany and the city of Groningen, and in that watery landscape it was almost impregnable. The village has been restored to its eighteenth-century appearance and is now a living open-air museum.

The layout follows the military ideas of the time. A star-shaped pattern of five earthen bastions, surrounded by moats and ramparts, protected the settlement, and inside the walls the streets form a regular grid around a central square, with the church, the commander's house and rows of small houses for soldiers and their families. The geometry is clear from the walls and from the air, and walking around the ramparts gives views over the flat countryside and the low houses within.

The fortress was in use for centuries. It saw action during the wars against Spain and later conflicts, and it declined in strategic importance as borders became more stable. It was finally given up as a military site in the nineteenth century, and the ramparts and buildings were allowed to decay until restoration began in the twentieth century. The aim was to bring back the appearance it had around the middle of the eighteenth century, and the work was carried out with great care.

Today visitors can explore a number of attractions within the walls. Museums cover military history, the daily life of soldiers and the history of the village, and a synagogue recalls the Jewish community that once lived in Bourtange. A watermill and a windmill are part of the scene, and cafes and shops are housed in the old buildings. Cars are kept outside the walls, which adds to the atmosphere. In summer, living history events bring soldiers and townspeople to life.

The village suits families, history fans and photographers. Allow a half day, wear comfortable shoes for the ramparts and check the programme of events. It is within reach of Groningen and the German border and fits well with a day in the countryside.