Jomoud's Fotothing

My 2008 trip to Holland

A FEW DAYS WITH MARIJKE AND KASKA

In the village of Oude Schans one of the original mobile canons is on display.

The Oude Schans Fortifications.
Oude Schans is the smallest of a number of defensive fortifications in the eastern part of the Province of Groningen. The fortification was built in 1593 by order of Count Willem Lodewijk van Nassau.
At the time the village of Oude Schans did not yet exist, and the area was known as Bellingwolderzijl. The fortification was located at the shore of a sea arm, and was commissioned to aid in the defence of the area against the Spanish army. At the time, Holland was engaged in a military conflict with Spain that lasted 80 years and did not end until 1648.
The fortification is built in the form of an irregular square but with an ingenious feature. The sea arm, known as the “Aa” ran through the centre of the fortification, but was controlled by a lock. By opening the lock, the Dutch army could flood the surrounding area and thereby halt the approaching enemy troops.
The fortification was again in use in 1672 during a war with the Bishop of Munster, and also served as a defence during the French conflict in 1795.
From the moment the fortification was built, the village of Oude Schans was also created.
The fortification was decommissioned in 1814, and the current village of Oude Schans has not changed much since that time.