Canal Nieuwpoort-Plassendale

This canal was dug around 1640 under the impetus of the Archdukes Albert and Isabella. In 1604 they had Ostend the Calvinist stronghold recaptured. This city, as well as its harbor, however, was completely destroyed. To Ostend again to flourish, this canal was dug. The historic shipping route between Bruges and the North Sea via the Zwin was trapped in the 17th century. Ostend had thus the potential to be another important port. This channel was the connection between the Bruges-Ostend and the Yser in Nieuwpoort. The place where both channels are connected to each other is Plassendale, a hamlet in Oudenburg. In Plassendale are still preserved the old locks which were operated by hand, they are protected as a monument. Along the north bank towpath is recognized as an international route. The towpath is the towpath along which people used the barges pulled forward or "chased".

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