Fort Oudeschans

In the mid-16th century, a sluice was built in the Westerwoldsche Aa. In 1593, during the Eighty Years' War, an entrenchment was built on this strategic spot.

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By opening the sluice of the entrenchment, seawater could be let in and by keeping the sluice closed, the water of the Westerwoldsche Aa could be stopped. In this way, a large area could be flooded, making it inaccessible to enemy armies. Oudeschans got its first garrison church in 1628; the current church dates from 1772. In 1814, the neglected fortress was disbanded. The remains of the entrenchment were made more clearly recognisable in the 20th century to give visitors an idea of the original fortress form.

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