"Bourtange" Bourtange by pieter_jan_v

Bourtange Travel Guide: 56 reviews and 129 photos

An old fortress

The history

View onto the heart of the fortress

Bourtange is located in a former unpassable area of moors. From the city of Groningen in the North there was an important passage to the South following a partly stretch of sand (tange) sticking out of the moors.
In 1580 Pince William of Oranje gave the order to build a fortification.
After the Spanish invaded at 1607 till 1672 the fortress was extended.
Around 1740 Menno van Coehoorn ordered more improvements and extensions. At the Greman border a seperate defence line was made.
Due to cultivation of the moors and newer arms the fortress lost its importance and was sold in 1851.
From 1972 a reconstruction of the old fort was started.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Wonderful for a daytrip visit
Cons:Cobblestones
In a nutshell:Historical Dutch Fortress

Last visit to Bourtange: May 2005
Intro Updated Mar 1, 2011
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Reviews (9)

Travelling by bicycle to Bourtange - Bourtange

Bourtange Pictures Things to Do (4)

Just a couple of impressions; just go through the pictures. more travel advice

Bourtange Gates Things to Do (4)

After the bridges the fortress gates were the next obstacle for attackers. more travel advice

Bourtange Bridges Things to Do (4)

The fortress was completely surrounded by water. more travel advice

The Wooden Horse Warnings and Dangers (1)

No, this is not a Trojan horse but a real instrument of torture. Offenders were chained to the horse and got their... more travel advice

Hotels (3)
See All Sleeping inside the fortress

Favorites (1)
USEFUL LINKS

Comments (2)

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Nemorino Feb 15, 2010 at 1:19 PM

This looks like a worthwhile place to stop on the way from Oldenburg to Groningen, for example.
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Mariajoy Oct 9, 2005 at 8:31 AM

This looks like an interesting place to stay PJ - might be a little tooooo quiet for me though!