Fort Bourtange

Fort Bourtange
Bourtange, Groningen, Netherlands
Fort Bourtange from the air
Fort Bourtange is located in Groningen (province)
Fort Bourtange
Fort Bourtange
Coordinates53°00′22″N 7°11′31″E / 53.006°N 7.192°E / 53.006; 7.192
Typefort
Site information
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionIntact
Site history
Built1593
In usec. 1593-1851
EventsEighty Years' War,
Third Anglo-Dutch War

Fort Bourtange (Dutch: Vesting Bourtange) is a fort in the village of Bourtange, Groningen, Netherlands. It was built under orders of William the Silent and completed in 1593. Its original purpose was to control the only road between Germany and the city of Groningen, which was controlled by the Spaniards during the time of the Eighty Years' War.

After experiencing its final battle in 1672, the fort continued to serve in the defensive network on the German border until it was finally given up in 1851 and converted into a village. Fort Bourtange currently serves as an historical museum.