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In the Middle Ages, the economically important Sluis was a substantial fortress with moats, stone city walls, gatehouses and towers. On the north side there was a castle that served as a citadel. Opposite this castle, on the other side of the Zwin, stood the stone Tower of Burgundy (from the beginning of the 15th century to ca. 1535). A chain could be stretched between the tower and the castle to close off the Zwin.

Attacks on the city by Sea Beggars from around 1570 onwards prompted further fortification of the city. On the side of the Zwin, ramparts with bastions were built and around 1580 the redoubt Sint-Anna (later Bekaf) was built in front of the West Gate. After that, ravelins were added to the canal on the landward side at the East, South and East Gates. On the other side of the Zwin, on the site of the former Tower of Burgundy, the Noordschans or the Klein Pas was erected. A little further south, on the same bank, the Grote Schans or the Groot Pas appeared.

In 1587 the Spaniards, led by Alexander Farnese, laid siege to Sluis. The 'choice' for this port city was prompted by the need for good bases for the planned expedition of the Spanish Armada to England. From the city of Sluis they had pierced the dikes for defense. The siege tactics employed were to encircle the city and cut off supplies. After a fierce battle, the city of Sluis surrendered on 5 August 1587. During the Spanish occupation, not much was built on the fortifications.

After the reconquest of the city by Prince Maurice in 1604, the fortifications were considerably improved. On the land side there was an earthen wall with six whole bastions and a half. The East, West and South Gates remained, but were placed in a different place and took on a different shape. The rampart along the Zwin was modified and also got six bastions. An earthen wall was also built around the castle. The Klein Pas was converted into a hornwork and the Groot Pas into a crown work.

Around 1700, the famous fortification architect Menno van Coehoorn considerably strengthened the fortress of Sluis. Ravelins were placed all around in the canals and outside again contregardes, tenailles, lunettes and a covered road. All surrounded by new canals. The Great and Small Pass were connected. A line of communication was established between the Groot Pas and Fort Sint-Donaas to the west. In the 18th century, the castle was gradually demolished except for one tower. The remains were covered with earth and a gun emplacement was created. After the French occupation (1747 – 1748) in the War of the Austrian Succession, improvements were made at the West Gate.

During the French period, the fortress lost its function and was officially abolished in 1816. The remains of the castle were cleared away. The bastioned ramparts and moats are well preserved. The exterior works are still recognizable by the light relief and the angular plot shapes. The same applies to the Groot and Klein Pas on the other side of the former zwin (now a polder). The East and South Gates have been restored and the West Gate with its stone bear have been consolidated after excavation. You can walk almost entirely on the ramparts around the city.

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