Fort Isabella

The name 'Hazegras' refers to the marshes on the left bank of the Zwin. They were the scene of numerous military skirmishes and after land reclamation the site of several forts dating back to the 16th century. The Isabellafort – which was in fact a fortified lock – was built in the 17th century with the establishment of the Fontaine Line and later reformed when a new and larger lock was constructed to the north of the fort. This was destroyed during the War of Spanish Succession for a strategic inundation, causing the fort to lose its significance. After a new land reclamation in the 18th century, Fort Hazegras was built to defend the Hazegrass sluice (1784) which is still present today. There was also military display during the Belgian Revolution (1830) when the Dutch were expelled and the fort was renamed Leopoldfort. In World War I, the Germans established part of their 'Hollandstellung' there, a bunker line intended to counter an Allied landing on the Dutch coast.

Ontdek de Zwinregio