Welcome to the year 1742!

Near the German border, in the beautiful town of Westerwolde (Southeast Groningen), lies the Bourtange fortress. A unique historical defensive structure, it's unparalleled. Past and present blend seamlessly in this small, charming fortified town.

In 1580, William of Orange ordered the construction of a fort on a sand ridge in the Bourtanger Marsh, on the border with present-day Germany. In 1593, the fortress was erected at the behest of William Louis of Nassau. Between 1593 and 1851, Bourtange was an important fortress. When the fortress was abandoned in 1851, a farming village emerged. Only a few buildings still recalled its former glory. In the 1960s, the municipality of Vlagtwedde took the initiative to reconstruct the fortress. The plan was carried out between 1967 and 1992. Ramparts were rebuilt, moats were dug, and soldiers' barracks were built. Visitors to Bourtange today will feel transported back centuries in time. Discover the fortress that was never captured.