Fossa route

Fossa route The Fossa Eugeniana is the central theme of this cycle route, which leads through the Venlo districts of Arcen, Lomm and Velden and the German towns of Geldern and Straelen. You cycle through varied landscapes and past historic castles, farms and mills. The cycle route is approximately 70 kilometers long, but can also be cycled in two separate parts of 35 and 45 kilometres. Before you get on your bike, a little bit about the history of the Fossa Eugeniana. In 1626 the Spaniards started the construction of the Fossa Eugeniana. The intention was to connect the Rhine, the Meuse and the Scheldt in order to take over part of the inland shipping to and from Holland. In addition, the canal could act as an additional line of defense. The first section, between Rhine and Meuse, was planned between Rheinberg and Arcen. However, the people of Venlo managed to persuade the Spaniards to extend the canal to Venlo, making a sharp bend to the south at Arcen. On September 21, 1626, the first spade went into the ground. Within a year, 48 kilometers of canal and 24 fortifications (sconces) had to be realized. Initially, the channel was to be called Fossa Sancta Maria. However, the canal was popularly called Fossa Eugeniana, after Isabella Eugenia, the daughter of Philip II. In 1627 the Spanish troops were recalled from the area between Nijmegen and Geldern. The Dutch troops captured the fort at Walbeck, chased away the canal workers and sabotaged mills, locks and redoubts. Of the 24 earthen ramparts, nine more or less have been preserved. Due to all these setbacks, the work was halted and never completed. The cycle routes are signposted in both directions.