The Big Hole

The Groote Gat is a special nature reserve and a cultural-historical gem in one. Forts that were part of the Staats Spaanse Linies from the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) are still visible here. These forts are situated in a varied landscape. The Groote Gat consists of a large creek, surrounded by reed fields, bushes, hedges, pollard trees, and wet grassland. This creates a diverse landscape where various rare breeding birds live.

The creek in the Groote Gat was once part of an extensive creek system that was connected to the Zwin. The Groote Gat is a remnant of the Bruges Canal. This canal was dug between 1501 and 1505 to prevent the siltation of the Zwin, but the intended effect was not achieved.

More info: The Groote Gat

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