Along the traces of the Eighty Years' War

Near Breda you will find many traces of the Eighty Years' War. This route takes you past two Spinolaschansen, which were supposed to protect Brabant from the Spanish.

Low Vuchtpolder
This route starts in the large and pleasant village of Oosterhout. Just above Breda you cycle along the edge of the Lage Vuchtpolder, a wet, flowery meadow. You will see moisture-loving plants and meadow birds such as the black-tailed godwit and the redshank. During the Eighty Years' War this polder was part of the Breda defence lines. It could be flooded to make life difficult for the enemy.

Spinolaschans
The Spinolaschans, a little further on, is part of this history. This unique heritage was built in 1637 by Frederik Hendrik. He expanded a fortification built earlier by Spinola in 1625. The village of Terheijden still breathes the atmosphere of the past, what a nice discovery! At junction 22 lies De Kleine Schans, a fortification that dates back to the Eighty Years' War.