Eliot's Travels

Bourtange, NL

Bourtange, very near the German border, was built in the late 1500s and represented the pinnacle of the arms and fortification at the time. Behind its walls and moats, it could withstand months of siege by an invading army.

One interesting thing about this town is that the battlements and the town itself were completely restored to its 1742 appearance, when the fortifications around the citadel had reached their maximum size. By the early 1960s Bourtange's walls had been mostly breached or levelled and the moats were largely filled in.

Check out another aerial photo:
http://www.geoeye.com/gallery/top10_2003/top10_2.htm

The walk to the main gate of this star-shaped fortress is quite circuitous to deter unwelcome visitors. On the way to the old center, we walked along 2 moats, 2 draw bridges, and through the main gate. It was a step back in time, complete with guardhouses, cannons, and a windmill.

Through the main gate, a short stroll drops you at the market square with its cafes and shops. We had a nice lunch before heading out to walk around the town. When we finished buying some postcards, the rain was really falling. Grammy took the boys back to the car, and I took at quick walk along the walls. At least it wasn't freezing today!

posted by Whitney @ 4:03 PM