Baurtange: an amazing star fortress in the Netherlands

Bautange is located in the territory of the modern Netherlands, near the border with Germany, in the province of Groningen and has a very interesting history. XVI and XVII centuries entered the history of Europe as the Golden Age of Spain. During this period, the Spanish possessions stretched far beyond modern Spain and included Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and other territories. But on the conquered lands from time to time uprisings broke out against the Spanish invaders. One of such periods of resistance was the Eighty Years' War - the war of some provinces of the Netherlands for independence.

The fortress of Baurtange was to become an important strategic object on the way from the Netherlands to Germany, so its protection was given special attention. After the appearance of guns, the walls of ancient fortresses and castles became vulnerable and could no longer withstand the powerful attacks of invaders. Therefore, engineers and builders of fortifications in the XVI century proposed another kind of fortresses - in the form of a star.

Fortress Bautange, built in 1593 on the orders of the leader of the resistance of Prince William I of Orange, successfully opposed the attempts of the invaders. The fort was surrounded on the perimeter by a moat with water, and inside there were barracks and fortress walls. Bautange for many centuries of its history has been rebuilt and expanded many times, but its original form remained unchanged. After the independence of the Netherlands from Spain and the cessation of internecine wars with German neighbors, the fort lost its strategic importance and began to decline.

By the middle of the XIX century, nearby settlements and agricultural fields had grown, the ditches were covered up as unnecessary, and the building of the fortress itself was practically destroyed. And only a century later, local authorities decided to restore a unique fortification.

In the 1960s, work began on the reconstruction of Fort Bautrange. The buildings in the fortress itself were partially restored, as well as the ditches with water were re-dug and earthen ramparts were made. Today this amazing fortress in the village of Baurtange attracts many tourists and reminds of the struggle of the Netherlands for independence.