Frisian Water Line I
The Frisian Water Line was built shortly after 1580 and stretched from the Zuiderzee inlet in the west to the Groningen Water Line in the east.
During the Eighty Years’ War with Spain and a century later when the Prince-Bishop of Münster, also known as ‘Bombing Bernhard’, attempted to invade Groningen, the land here was flooded. The only way to get to Leeuwarden was to pass through the strategically located forts. So the capital of Friesland was protected.
This cycling route takes you past places along the east section …
The Frisian Water Line was built shortly after 1580 and stretched from the Zuiderzee inlet in the west to the Groningen Water Line in the east.
During the Eighty Years’ War with Spain and a century later when the Prince-Bishop of Münster, also known as ‘Bombing Bernhard’, attempted to invade Groningen, the land here was flooded. The only way to get to Leeuwarden was to pass through the strategically located forts. So the capital of Friesland was protected.
This cycling route takes you past places along the east section of the Frisian Water Line where the forts stood. You learn more about the Sterrenschans star fort (Bakkeveen star sconce) near the village of Bakkeveen, Frieschepalen fort (Sconce of Frieschepalen), the Zwartendijk star fort (Zwartendijkster sconce) and the Breebergschans fort (Breeberg sconce). As an extra, you also get to see the Landweer medieval earth fortification near the hamlet of Allardsoog. If you look closely, most of the fortifications can still be seen in the landscape.
Hiking guide author Fokko Bosker tells some wonderful stories about this subject. To listen to them, download the izi.TRAVEL app.
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