Willemstad, Klundert, Fijnaart

Together with the surrounding forts, the fortified towns of Willemstad and Klundert in West Brabant form a beautiful historic landscape. These forts were built over the centuries as part of the Zuiderwaterlinie, an ingenious defence system designed to protect the Netherlands from enemy attacks. Willemstad was converted into a star-shaped fortress in the late 16th century by order of William of Orange and played an important role in defending the Dutch coast. Klundert was fortified around the same time with bastions and moats to guard the passage to the west.

A fun fact about Willemstad: the bastions at the corners of the fortress are named after the Seven United Dutch Regions. Klundert, on the other hand, has a unique rectangular street pattern that still recalls the fortress structure of yesteryear.

The beautiful Cycle route takes you past three impressive forts that were once part of this line of defence. Fort Bovensluis, located on the Hollandsch Diep, was built in the 19th century to repel attacks from the water. Fort De Hel, a little further away, was built by the French in 1811 and later reinforced by the Dutch. This fort provided support to nearby Fort Sabina, one of the largest forts in the region.

Across the water is Fort Prince Frederik on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee. You can already see this fort from Fort Sabina, and otherwise you will also have a great view of this historic structure from the watchtower at the Volkerak locks.