Cultural poem route Altena Biesbosch

De Biesbosch National Park is a source of inspiration for anyone who takes the trouble to take a good look at nature. Residents from the region wrote special poems, which can be read in various places in the Biesbosch. The watery environment is inhabited by many birds, from ducks and coots to a special pair of sea eagles and a whole population of herons. Sometimes you see an otter taking a refreshing dip, but the hardworking beavers also feel at home around the banks of the creeks. The river islands, sand and mudflats are brightened up by the sweet scent of giant balsam, and by the yellow flowers of marsh herb, the cheerful purple of loosestrife or the white of valerian. Farmers make hay on their land in the many polders that lie between the creeks and willow forests. The area is used as storage for drinking water preparation, but there is also a lot of recreation. The route starts at the parking lot near VVV Altena Biesbosch. There you can also get more information about the history of the Biesbosch, the diversity of flora and fauna along the rugged paths and lovely creeks, but also about the many cultural-historical sights in the area. The tourist office is not far from a well-known national monument. It doesn't take long before you see Loevestein Castle and Fort Loevestein looming at the point where the Maas and Waal meet. The castle was built as early as 1361. The castle has known three periods in which it was used for different purposes: in the Middle Ages it served as a castle for a knight, later the castle was used as a state prison (Hugo Grotius escaped from the complex) and it became part of the Nieuwe Kerk as a defense structure. Dutch Waterline. The Battery under Poederoijen, which was built on the Maas between 1879 and 1886, was also part of the New Dutch Waterline. Construction was time-consuming, because the ground on which the battery was built subsided several times. These subsidence also influenced the design; the fortress has become smaller than originally intended. When you cycle further to the De Hoop mill, you will come across the poem'Stromenland\\\'. The verses were written by a resident who was inspired by the cultural history and beauty of the area and are worth reading. De Hoop is a round stone mill. The mill is still in operation and runs on a voluntary basis. The special thing about this mill is that it is located on a dike where traffic passes underneath. The blades are so long that trucks have to take a different route, otherwise they may not be able to drive under the mill. Anyone who wants to visit De Hoop can do so on Saturday, but the mill is also open for weddings. The last part of the cycle route is adorned by another three poems about the area:'De kaaie paole\\\','De gats van het hoff\\\', and'Vastbedetermined\ \\'.