Oostburg

Oostburg 1605

When Alexander Farnese, later Duke of Parma, recaptured Oostburg for the Spanish king in 1583, the town had no defences. Oostburg is seriously affected by the floods caused by the breaching of the dikes, intended to stop the advance of Parma. The surroundings of Oostburg have turned into a desolate swamp, where ebb and flow do their work and the city itself does not remain untouched. Wolves from the surrounding area come to drink from the well (filled with fresh water) on the village square.

In 1604, Prince Maurits conquered Oostburg and the following year Oostburg was transformed into a fortress. On the south side of the city, where the Casembrootsegat, created by the floods, flows into the Brugse Vaart, the Frederik Hendrik redoubt is erected. A little further north along the Casembrootsegat rises the Slikkenburg redoubt. A rampart was built between the two redoubts with a moat on the east side. This protected Oostburg against attacks by land from the east.

In 1615, the flooded area northwest of Oostburg was reclaimed. This made it necessary to protect the city on this side as well. Between the redoubts Fredrik Hendrik and Slikkenburg, a rampart containing three bastions was erected, enclosing part of the city in an arc. Part of the city, including the St. Bavo Church, was placed outside the walls.

After the Eighty Years' War, the maintenance of the fortress was neglected. In 1672 the demolition of the fortifications began. Remnants of the fortifications were still visible until the 20th century, but the construction of the new road to Breskens, levelling work for agriculture and reconstruction work after the Second World War have erased almost all traces. Part of the moat around the northern bastion is still present.

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