Holiday apartment in IJzendijke: Experience fortress history

IJzendijke between the museum and traces of the fortress

With Museum Het Bolwerk and the remains of fortifications visible in the landscape, IJzendijke has a clear historical focus. The Staats-Spaanse Linies are at the heart of the collection at Museum Het Bolwerk. Remains of the fortifications of Vesting IJzendijke can still be seen in the landscape today. The history of the fortress therefore appears in two forms: as the theme of the collection and as a visible trace in the landscape around the town. For those interested in culture, IJzendijke is therefore not limited to a single historical perspective; the museum and the landscape emphasise different aspects.

Museum Het Bolwerk organises activities for young and old throughout the year. For those interested in culture, it combines an exploration of the Staats-Spaanse Linies with a programme that runs throughout the year. The timeframe of the museum's offerings therefore extends beyond a single season and complements the collection's established focus.

Fortress, market and church architecture

The IJzendijke fortress was expanded and reinforced based on a design by Simon Stevin. Since 2004, a statue of Prince Maurits has stood on the market square in IJzendijke. The market square was once the parade ground for his troops. The square's former military use is therefore just as much part of the town's history as the statue that has stood there since 2004. Together with the expansion based on Simon Stevin's design, this historical chapter connects fortress construction with the former military function of the market square.

The predecessor church of the H. Maria Hemelvaart Kerk in IJzendijke was destroyed in 1944; the new building designed by architect J. de Lint was put into use in 1951. The years mark the transition from the destroyed predecessor church to the new building and give the church architecture its own chronological sequence. Fort Frederik Hendrik, Fort Willem I and Fort Rammekens are also located in the area around IJzendijke. The three forts extend the fortress theme beyond IJzendijke into the surrounding area.

The Mauritspad and its fortress features

The 4.5-kilometre Mauritspad runs alongside parts of the IJzendijke fortress. For day planning, its fixed length provides a clear framework for a walk in its own right. The route runs along a section of the fortress rampart with the rebuilt grain mill; another section passes a re-excavated part of the fortress moat with a ravelin. The rampart, grain mill, moat and ravelin form four different points of reference along the route. For day planning, the fixed distance and the four fortress features can be considered together.

Other destinations in the regional area

The ruins of Hellenburg are located in the wider regional area around IJzendijke. Knokke Beach, Albertstrand, Lemmerplaat and Arneplaat are also in this area.

These destinations extend the regional scope beyond the fortifications of IJzendijke.

More places for your travel planning

Schoondijke, Hoofdplaat, Nieuwvliet-Bad, Sint Kruis, Breskens, Oostburg, Waterlandkerkje and Eede

For the higher-level travel overview: Sluis.