The star shaped Fort Bourtange of Holland
Last updated: October 24, 2026
Ever wondered how some of the most outstanding monuments of their time simply slip through the hands of time? Often when I visit such a site, I wonder how its creators would feel seeing its present state of mortality, and if the contemporaries of that time would have ever believed its fall from prominence. Fort Bourtange of Holland is one such fateful site and I did not quite believe Tarek when he told me that we were going to visit a star-shaped fort on the weekend. Even when we reached Fort Bourtange, I found it difficult to comprehend Fort Bourtange’s claim to fame, but then I come from India, a country scattered with gorgeous monuments at nearly every step.
Fort Bourtange Quick Facts
| Location | Bourtange, Westerwolde, Groningen province – right on the German border |
| Built | 1593, during the Eighty Years’ War; restored to its 1742 layout in the 1960s–70s |
| Shape | Five-pointed star (pentagon) with bastions, double moats and ravelins |
| Entry to the village | Free – you can walk the streets and ramparts at no cost |
| Museum ticket | One combined ticket covers the fort museums; roughly €10–12 for adults, reduced for children (check the official Vesting Bourtange site) |
| Museum hours | Usually daily from spring to autumn, roughly 10:00/11:00–17:00; shorter, mostly weekend hours in winter |
| From Groningen | About 1 hr by car; 1.5–2 hrs by train to Winschoten plus bus |
| Time needed | Half a day; stay overnight in a fort B&B for quiet evenings |
Fort Bourtange was built to throw off the Spanish rule in Holland
Located in the north of Holland, near the German border, Fort Bourtange is a beautiful drive from our home city of Cologne, and it makes a perfect summer day trip. I was full of anticipation of this unique star-shaped fort and had visions of a magnificent architectural wonder. The reality was a bit different from my Indian monument-inspired dreams, and Fort Bourtange turned out to be a unique, living settlement. Originally built by William I of Orange from 1580 to 1593, in the midst of the Eighty Years’ War to control the road between Groningen and Germany, Fort Bourtange is one of Holland’s best-preserved fortifications.
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A moat that gave Groningen its independence
With its water-filled moats, picturesque windmills, solid preserved defences, and quaint houses protected from all sides, Fort Bourtange took us back in time when rogue foreign armies came plundering, and villagers sought refuge behind the thick walls for protection. Those were the times when the Spaniards had taken control of Groningen in 1577 due to the decision of Count George de Lalaing, the governor of Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe, to support Spain rather than the United Provinces in their fight for independence. The purpose of the fort was to cut off supplies for the Spanish forces posted in Groningen, and the plan worked since the city was recaptured in 1594.
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The architectural genius of the pentagon-shaped Fort Bourtange
With the upheavals in history, Fort Bourtange’s fortifications lengthened, and it was extended to its full capacity in 1742. Roughly resembling the shape of a star, Fort Bourtange had many triangular bastions, a wide ditch, and defensive walls that were lowered and thickened to counter cannon fire. They were protected by gently sloping banks in front of ditches so that the walls were almost completely hidden from horizontal artillery fire. At that period of time, Fort Bourtange was considered an architectural genius, and it was a military success for years until agricultural practices dried up the fort’s protective swamp. Following the decline, Bourtange evolved into a residential town by 1851, and life continued to flourish there for the next 100 years. In the 1950s and 60s, however, when job stagnation threatened the existence of Bourtange, the local government came to the rescue and declared it an open-air historical area.
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From a military outpost to a tourist village
Fort Bourtange became a tourist destination, and it became popular among day trippers from Groningen. Today it has about 1000 inhabitants, one of the largest citadels in the Low Countries, and charming cobbled streets. To be brutally honest, though it has none of the grandeur and awe-inspiring spread of an Indian monument, Fort Bourtange was a day well spent in offbeat Holland. Two gates and three drawbridges over the picturesque lily-covered moats took us to the old town, and we walked into the quaint Marktplein, the main square. Dutch food stalls and souvenir shops lined the square, and streets led off in all directions of the pentagram-shaped inner fortification.
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The earthy pleasures of a Northern Holland trip
It took us around two hours to explore Fort Bourtange to the fullest, and the sun was still shining brightly when we made our way towards the student city of Groningen. Though not culturally endowed like France or spectacularly beautiful like Germany, Holland leaves a very pleasant aftertaste from a trip, and I love its simple earthiness. There is a solidity about this industrious manmade country, and our next destination, Groningen, was as enjoyable as the rest of the Dutch weekend trip.
Fort Bourtange Travel Facts
How to reach Fort Bourtange
Located right on the German border, Fort Bourtange is a few hundred metres from Germany along the German A31 motorway (take exit 17). It is easier to get there by car. To use public transport, get on a train from Groningen to Winschoten (35min), then board the bus No 12 to Vlagtwedde. Make sure to change again to bus No 72 for Fort Bourtange.
Where to stay
Fort Bourtange has several historical houses which have been converted into bed and breakfasts.
Things to Do in Fort Bourtange
Time travelling is possible at Fort Bourtange. Its medieval architecture, docents in period costume, canals, and dykes make it a relaxing destination. The village has four museums, several restaurants, historical shops, and a hotel in the former soldier barracks. The Museum of Terra Mora houses the main exhibit, with a section dedicated to the area’s natural history. You can get a chance to engage in simulated cannon volleys there. The Captain’s Lodge focuses on the life and times of the militia stationed at Bourtange in the 17th and 18th centuries, while De Baracquen has displays of artefacts and curios uncovered during the fort’s reconstruction. The town’s synagogue, built in 1842, explains the life and times of its Jewish citizens and includes a plaque with the names of 42 locals who were taken away to their deaths by the Nazis. Fort Bourtange also organizes events like battle reenactments and open-air crafts markets. Check their website for dates, and time your visit to coincide.
Fort Bourtange Travel Tip
Website http://www.bourtange.nl
Presenting some photos of our weekend trip to Fort Bourtange! Hope you like them.
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How to Reach Fort Bourtange from Groningen
- By car (easiest): around 60 km and 1 hour from Groningen via the A7 and N368; there is a large paid car park just outside the fort walls.
- By public transport: train from Groningen to Winschoten (about 35 min), then local bus towards Vlagtwedde/Bourtange, changing as needed. Buses are infrequent, so check the 9292.nl journey planner the day before.
- From Germany: the fort is a few hundred metres from the border; from the A31, take exit 17 and follow signs for Bourtange.
- By bike: the flat Westerwolde cycling routes make a scenic approach in summer.
Tickets, Museums and What to See Inside
- The combined museum ticket covers the historic buildings, including the Captain’s House (Kapiteinshuis), the Officer’s Quarters and the Synagogue/Jewish history exhibit, plus the ‘s Lands Huys museum.
- Walk the ramparts and bastions – free, and the best way to understand the star shape.
- The windmill De Agnes on one of the bastions and the central Marktplein are the village’s prettiest corners.
- Events: the fort hosts re-enactment battle days, a Christmas market and a Bourtange evening by candlelight – check the event calendar before you go.
Best Photo Spots and the Drone View
- Bastion tops: climb onto any bastion for views across the moats and ravelins.
- Marktplein: lime trees, the old well and the soldiers’ quarters make a classic village scene.
- The windmill at sunset: soft light over the moat and the mill sails.
- Drone shots: the star shape is only fully visible from above. Drone rules in the Netherlands are strict – you need to follow EU drone regulations and local no-fly restrictions, so check before flying. Otherwise, enjoy the aerial photos and models on display in the museum.
FAQs
Is Fort Bourtange free to visit?
Yes, the fortified village, its streets and ramparts are free to walk around. You only pay for the combined museum ticket and for parking outside the fort.
How do I get to Fort Bourtange from Groningen?
Driving takes about an hour. By public transport, take the train to Winschoten and then a regional bus towards Bourtange; check the 9292 journey planner as buses are infrequent.
How much time do you need at Fort Bourtange?
Half a day is enough to walk the ramparts, see the museums and have lunch. Stay overnight in one of the fort’s B&Bs if you want a quieter, atmospheric evening.
Why is Bourtange shaped like a star?
The star-shaped bastions removed blind spots so defenders could cover every approach with crossfire, a typical design of 16th–17th-century fortresses.
Is Fort Bourtange worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the best-preserved star forts in Europe and makes an easy detour between Groningen and northern Germany.
