The Zuiderwaterlinie is a unique chain of historic fortified towns and their surrounding countryside, linked by the typically Dutch story of defending with water. It is the oldest, longest and most used water line in the Netherlands.
IMPREGNABLE FORTRESS
The virgin, they also called Bergen op Zoom. The city deserves that nickname for its special reputation: of all the fortified towns, it was the most impregnable. At Ravelijn op den Zoom, you can still clearly see the city's fortified past. The underground passages (the casemates) are the last remnants of the famous Berg fortress built there by Menno van Coehoorn. From this Ravelijn, Bergen op Zoom guarded its virginity. Fort Pinssen and Fort de Roovere were also very important.
The Waterschans of Bergen op Zoom, located at the old harbour mouth and part of the West Brabant Water Line, was built in 1584. The Waterschans is this city's oldest fortification, built on the initiative of Prince William of Orange. He had also been Marquis of Bergen op Zoom since 1582. The function of the Waterschans was to defend the harbour entrance, the key to the city.
More information on the Waterschans can be found on the website of Heemkundige kring Bergen op Zoom
The Southern Waterline Footpath.
The Zuiderwaterlinie Wandelpad is plotted across the hiking nodes in Brabant.
The walking route in Brabant can be recognised by the green-and-yellow signage with the Zuiderwaterlinie symbol.
The total length of the footpath is 290 kilometres, but you can also choose to walk shorter partial routes. Stage suggestions can be found in the walking guide of the Zuiderwaterlinie Wandelpad. Or map out your own hiking route in Brabant with the partial maps in the hiking guide, which show all hiking nodes in Brabant.
The beautiful walking route in Brabant can be walked in both directions. The starting point of the walking route from Bergen op Zoom is the Stationsplein (NS) in Bergen op Zoom.
More information on the Southern Water Line can be found at :
