How do you defend a city and an entire region? How do you protect yourself against an army with the most horrific weapons and ruthless soldiers? Four hundred years ago this was done using soil and water to build ramparts and canals in between and all around the cities in Zeeland. Thousands of labourers shovelled millions of kilos of earth to protect themselves against ambitious rulers, eager generals and their brutal forces. How did they do this? Was all that work worth the effort and did the rampart builders achieve their goal?

Het Bolwerk Museum shows the part played by the State-Spanish lines in the great tale of fortress building in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen: a tale that begins with the Romans in Aardenburg and ends with the Second World War bunkers around the mouth of the River Schelde. Het Bolwerk Museum shows the major links in the evolution of European military architecture and their significance in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.

You can also find information in the museum about:
. themed temporary exhibitions
. lectures and workshops
. package deals
. guided tours