Fort Ellewoutsdijk - Ellewoutsdijk

Fort Ellewoutsdijk was built between 1835 and 1839, shortly after Belgium separated from the Netherlands. At the time, the people of Zeeland feared an attack from the sea. The fort was part of a defensive line along the Western Scheldt, designed to control access to the port of Antwerp. The forts in this so-called Scheldt Line were meant to trap enemy ships and support friendly troops with artillery. Most of those forts were later demolished. Fort Ellewoutsdijk was one of the few that remained.

The fort was built on the site of an older Napoleonic defence structure, but had a completely new design, with thick brick walls, a moat and an inner courtyard. The surrounding landscape was deliberately kept open, so enemies could be spotted from afar. You can still see that openness today in the neighbouring nature reserve Inlaag 1887, which used to serve as a clear line of fire.

During the Second World War, the fort once again played a role – this time in the Battle of the Scheldt: the largest military operation on Dutch soil, which also led to the liberation of the Zuid-Beveland pocket.

Today, the fort is managed by Natuurmonumenten. Parts of it are open to the public during guided tours. You’re free to walk around the area and look out over the Western Scheldt, where the fort once stood guard.

Image source: VVV Zeeland