Only two kilometers off the border with northern Germany lies the small village of Bourtange, within the Dutch province of Groningen. But this was not an ordinary village, it was actually an amazingly well preserved star fort village, so well preserved that walking through the stone gates really felt like travelling back in time and participating in the village life of the 17 hundreds.
As it turned out, Bourtange was commissioned as an actual fortress in 1580 along the only road through the marshes between northern Germany and the then Spanish occupied city of Groningen. The plan to cut off the Spanish while taking control of the road must have been successful, as Bourtange fortress was erected well enough never to have been taken over by any enemies during its time of operation.
But what was initially meant to be a simple military fortress slowly became more and more a residential place, and by the time all military functions ceased in 1851 Bourtange had evolved into a perfectly shaped five star fort village. And thanks to some great reconstruction efforts in the 1960s and 70s, the fort village atmosphere could still be experienced today.
Entering Bourtange museum cost a 6 euro fee, but walking the village itself was entirely free and the best thing to do anyway. As the museum and tourist shops closed at 5 pm sharp and the flood of tourists left for the day, this proved to be the perfect time to arrive. All of a sudden the star fort village became a really quiet place to wander around, sit with an ice cream and talk to some of the few local residents. What a perfect place to visit if one likes to time travel and spend the afternoon in the 1750s…
Impressions of Bourtange Village
Entrance Gate to Bourtange Star Fort Village in the Netherlands
Entering the Cobble Stone Streets of Bourtange
Houses of Bourtange
Red-Brick Houses of the Star Fort Village, Bourtange
Yellow Brick Houses of Bourtange Village in the Netherlands
Painted Brick Houses of the restored Fort Village, Bourtange
Public Features of Bourtange
Publick Wells between Houses in Bourtange, Netherlands
Central Square of the Star Fort Village Bourtange
Radial Alleys leading to the Central Square of Bourtange
Bourtange Gardens
Green Gardens between the Houses of Bourtange
Vegetable Gardens of the Star Fort Village
Private Garden in Bourtange Village, Netherlands
Facilities of Bourtange
Dutch Windmill on one of the five Bastions of Bourtange
Public Toilet and Moat of Bourtange Village, Netherlands
Fortifications, Moats and Draw Bridges of Bourtange Fort
Getting to Bourtange from Groningen
Have you been to Bourtange? Did you visit any other fortified town or time travel place?
This post is part of Travel Photo Mondays and Sunday Traveler above.
What a charming place. I love that you tell everyone to come at 5 when the tourists are gone – nice one! It really looks so pretty and peaceful. Big thanks for linking up with us for #SundayTraveler again.
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey recently posted…Outdoor adventure travel: Rafting on the Cetina River Croatia
Thanks SJ, I am glad to hear that you like Bourtange! I personally am not too fond of tourist covered places and I don’t really like to think of myself as a tourist as well. So 5pm was definitely the perfect time for me to explore this unique fort village…
Nice to go through your article, any more such time travel? especially India? I have been through some of the villages and places in India , where time stands still, but the sudden buzzing of mobile instruments and blaring from the dish antennas shatter the whole atmosphere!
I totally agree with you R Srinivas, India is definitely a great time travel place. Only in comparison Bourtange looks like a nicely preserved museum village, while places in India seem a bit more authentic and show their years of use. Both is definitely very interesting to experience…
What a quaint little town with so much history. I’ve never been to that area. It’s incredible that they shaped the fort and the surrounding area like a star.
Carmen (CarmensTravelTips) recently posted…Melissani Cave, Kefalonia, Greece
Thank you Carmen! You are right, the perfect star shape of Bourtange really is incredible, especially when seen from a bird’s view…
The windmills in the Netherlands always make me smile
Very cute town!
Dana Newman recently posted…Lost in Prague
Thanks Dana! I actually love the Dutch windmills as well and I was very pleased to see one in Bourtange as well…
I love that it is star shaped. Makes it seem so whimsical. The cobblestone and brick houses are so iconic of the Netherlands. Looks like a great place to see after all the tourists are gone.
Adelina // Pack Me To recently posted…Take Me Out to the Ball Game with the Vancouver Canadians
Definitely Adelina! While everything seemed a bit like a real-life Disneyland during the day, in the late afternoon Bourtange transformed into this amazingly authentic village that just happened to be built in a perfect star shape…
I love exploring villages like this! Getting so sick of hitting big faceless cities, and aspiring to add more villages and towns which have character and history. Jotting this down for when we’re next in Germany. Thanks Dennis!
Meg
Megan Claire recently posted…Postcards from Easter Island.
It is great to hear that you like Bourtange as well, Megan! We are certainly on the same page when it comes to villages with history and character, they are well worth a visit, especially after visiting all the usual big town destinations…
What a quaint place … most people rushing about Europe checking off their itineraries would miss such a highlight … great post!
Caroline recently posted…The Top Five Most Scenic Australian Road Trips
Thanks a lot Caroline! You are right, Bourtange is certainly an easy place to miss, but a stopover in the busy Europe itinerary is more than well worth it…
This place is absolutely amazing. So peaceful and cozy! I wish I could spend here a weekend or even a week doing some yoga and reading books :).
Agness recently posted…Zaanse Schans For $10 A Day
You are right Agness, Bourtange would definitely be a great place to laze away some time. Although you can probably only enjoy the calm of the place after 5pm when the masses of tourists disappear…
Isn’t there a star fort village also close by Amsterdam? I always meant to visit there as well, do you know if it’s worth it?