There are a few off-the-beaten path sights that I like to show visitors from overseas. The top place on my list is the fortress village of Bourtange. The idea of a perfectly star-shaped fortress is just too tempting, so visitors always choose to go see it.

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History of Bourtange

Did you know that much of what is now the Netherlands was once ruled by Spain?

The Eighty Years’ War (1566-1648) was a revolt against the Spanish, and the northern provinces of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe were particularly fierce in their resistance to Spanish rule.

The Spanish rulers in Groningen province had supply lines through the marshland to the east, across the modern-day border with Germany.

In 1580, Prince Willem of Orange, who was leading the Dutch revolt against the Spanish forces, decided to try to disrupt those supply lines by building a series of forts along the border, on the few bits of sandy land that were passable among the marshes. This effort did not succeed, and the Spanish did not recognize the Republic of the Seven United Provinces until 1648. Nevertheless, the struggle remains a fascinating piece of Dutch history.

Fort Bourtange

One of those forts was the star-shaped fortress, Bourtange. It blocked the only road in the area through what was once extensive marshland. The fortress was expanded in the following decades, mostly through re-channeling water for moats. Gradually though, since it was not needed once the war was over, it fell into disrepair. By 1681 all of the marshlands around it had dried up because local farmers had changed the water channels to drain land for farming.

Eventually, from 1739-42, the fortified town of Bourtange was made defensible again through a combination of digging moats and building earthen walls. The buildings inside the fort were also finished.

In the following century, with changes in transportation and weaponry, Bourtange fell into disuse again as a fort. It was dismantled in 1850 and became a local farming village.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the local municipality decided to rebuild the fort to its 1742 appearance in an effort to revive the local economy. They recognized the value of a charming fortified village to serve as a tourist attraction. Even the “wet horizon,” a marshy area originally intended for the defense of the fort, has been reconstructed for recreational use.

Bourtange today

This is not just an open-air museum, however. Though its income is based on tourism, it is also a living village, with about 50 full-time residents.

That combination—a living village combined with all the charms of an open air museum—makes for a lovely day out.

Arriving just outside the fort – about an hour’s drive from the city of Groningen – you can park for free. Then you’ll walk about ten minutes down a cobbled road to the entrance gate to the fortress. Admission to the village is free, but you can buy tickets to the five museums at the visitor’s center next to the parking lot.

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Make sure to climb up onto the walls and walk around the perimeter of the village. From up there, you can view the buildings inside the walls from above, but you can also see the extent of the fortifications when you look away from the village. It’s not just a star-shaped wall: it’s a series of concentric walls and moats.

On the walls, you’ll also come upon the traditional windmill and the secreten, small wooden buildings hanging over the moat that the soldiers used as toilets.

The museums of Bourtange

It’s definitely worth buying the museum ticket (€9.50), since the museums are all worth a visit, depending on your interests. My favorites are the synagogue and the captain’s house.

Also see my article: 38 things to do in Groningen province.

The Synagogue: The synagogue was used until World War II by the tiny Jewish community of Bourtange, at which point they were deported along with most of Holland’s Jews. Only five of the Bourtange Jews survived the war. The synagogue is a well-preserved reminder:  the traditional furnishings remain, as well as a small museum in the back room about the Bourtange Jews. It is still used occasionally for services.

The Barracks Museum: This museum in one of the former soldiers’ baracquen mostly displays archeological finds from the area.

Terra Mora: This modern museum focuses on the surrounding wetlands and is particularly designed to appeal to children.

Het Nieuwe Kruithuis: This former storage building for gunpowder now houses temporary expositions. Inside, you can see a film explaining the fortress’s history up to and including the reconstruction of the fortress.

The Captain’s House (Kapiteinswoning): Built in 1661, this cozy little house has been restored to how it would have looked at the time. It’s a charming glimpse into 17th century Dutch life outside of the glamor of Amsterdam.

The real enjoyment of Bourtange, though, is just in walking around: on top of the walls, but also through the charming little streets. The central plaza (the Marktplein), cobbled and tree-shaded, is delightful on a sunny day. Sit and have a drink or order a traditional pancake in the outdoor café.

What I haven’t done yet, but would like to do some day, is stay overnight. A number of the houses have been turned into bed and breakfast accommodations. I’m sure a stroll around the walls at sunset and a wander through the village lanes in the early morning hours would make the night’s stay more than worth it.

This hotel is inside the walls in a former barracks.

Bourtange also organizes special events from time to time, from battle reenactments to crafts markets. Check their website for dates, and see if you can time your visit to coincide.

I highly recommend it!

(Last edited June 29, 2023)

Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller is a writer living in Groningen, the Netherlands. She is the owner and primary author of this website, Rachel’s Ruminations, a travel blog focused on independent travel with an emphasis on cultural and historical sites/sights. Read more here about her and about this website. Rachel also owns and operates a website about travel to UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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