Fort de Roovere

Fort de Roovere was built in 1628 on a high sand ridge and, together with the forts Moermont and Pinssen and the Halsters Laag, formed the so-called Line to Steenbergen. By means of inundation via a lock at Steenbergen - defended by Fort Henricus - an area between the fortresses Steenbergen and Bergen op Zoom could be flooded.
In 1727 the fort was improved on the basis of plans by Menno van Coehoorn. On the south side of the fort a connecting line wall was established. During the siege of Bergen op Zoom in 1747, the French unsuccessfully attacked the fort. In 1784 changes were made to the preliminary works and the main rampart on the north side was excavated. Fort de Roovere was abolished as a settlement in 1816.
When the line was restored in 2010/2011, accessibility required a bridge over the moat of one of the forts, Fort de Roovere. This fort will have a recreational function with walking and cycling routes. But it is improper to make a bridge over a moat of a defensive structure, especially if that bridge is also located on the side where the enemy was expected. That's why a wooden bridge was made that you don't see. The bridge lies like a trench in the moat and in the fort and thus forms to the contours of the landscape. From a distance you can't see the bridge because the ground and water are up to the edge. If you get closer, the fortress opens up to you through a narrow trench. You walk through the water through the water into the fort.

Author: Rink