The Vestingdriehoek, or Fortress Triangle, a beautiful area of fortifications and water connections. Once a strategic water weapon in the Dutch Waterline, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an abundance of history. Let yourself be taken over the water and through history. Explore the land on foot or by bicycle and discover a treasure trove of stories!
Zaltbommel
Fortress and Hanseatic city
In the fortified and Hanseatic city you can count on a dose of history and culture. The city is surrounded by fortifications: a wide, tree-lined belt with moats for protection, along the northern side the river Waal.
One of the highlights of this city is St. Martin’s Church. Both the church and the tower were largely built in the 15th century. You will also find the museum in the City Castle; a monumental building in the city center. In the museum you’ll get acquainted with the rich 16th-century history of the Bommelerwaard. The glorious past, the many cozy terraces and nice places to eat make this city the chosen place for a wonderful day out.
Gorinchem
The most beautiful fortified city in the Netherlands
A city that still breathes the atmosphere of its past. It is the largest and most beautiful fortress in the Netherlands that is still completely intact. The dozens of monuments remind us of that time, when Gorinchem also had an important place in the Dutch Waterline as a fortress. In the old town hall on the Grote Mark is the Gorcums Museum. Here, alongside various exhibitions, the stories are told about the history of Gorcum. In the Hamelhuis, you will find everything about the 17th-century explorer: Hendrick Hamel.
Woudrichem
Thriving city through fishing
Woudrichem is a fortified town that originated around the year 1000. Its strategic location often shook Woudrichem to its foundations in the past. Together with Gorinchem, Woudrichem, armed with heavey artillery, closed off the Wall River to the enemy. Woudrichem was also one of the most important fishing villages for a long time. The Fisheries and Cultural Historical Museum provides a nice overview of Dutch river fishing. It is a charming fortress where you wander along those historical highlights and authentic shops.
Fort Vuren
Robust structure
For decades, it has been proudly standing in the floodplains along the river Waal. This Fort was also part of the New Dutch Waterline. The robust structure from 1844 was meant to protect Gorinchem from the enemy. The fort provided defense for dozens of troops, weapons and provisions and can only be reached via a drawbridge. Now, there is a museum where film footage, documents, and photos depict the situation in this region during the Second World War. The provision rooms have been turned into cozy restaurants.
Tips nearby:
Biesbosch Museum
Nature
The Museum Island is located in the heart of National Park De Biesbosch. Here you will experience how we have dealt with the challenges and opportunities presented by water for centuries and discover how the freshwater area came into being after the Sint-Elizabethflood of 1421.
Gorcums Museum
Art
Right in the center of Gorinchem, located in the old Town Hall, you will find the Gorcums Museum. A historical and contemporary museum, where history comes to life through changing (art) exhibitions for young and old.
Zaltbommel City Castle
History
In Stadskasteel Zaltbommel you can learn more about the history of the Bommelerwaard; From the 80-year war to now. You will also find the exhibition of illustrator Fiep Westerdorp.
