Willemstad, Dinteloord, Stampersgat

In the area between Willemstad, Dinteloord, and Stampersgat – in West Brabant, along the Hollands Diep, you’ll find a remarkable number of historic buildings close together. Their appearance and purpose may differ, but together they reflect how the region has evolved over the centuries.

Some structures, like the fortifications of Willemstad or Fort De Hel, recall a time when the waters needed defending. Others, like the Church of the Martyrs of Gorcum or the old windmill, offer a glimpse of everyday life, through faith, work, and technology. Even a modern bird-watching hut fits into the story: it was built in the style of a nearby fort, as a playful nod to the past.

What connects these places is their deep bond with the surroundings. Every building had a purpose: to protect, to pray, to see, to work. Together, they don’t form a fixed route or a clear timeline, but they do form a fascinating whole. A ride past these places shows how people lived here, believed, and adapted to water, threats, and change, each in their own way, in their own time.