Top 18 Natural Monuments around Moerbeke

This open water (creek) is a remnant of a military inundation in the fight against the French in the War of the Spanish Succession - period 1701–1713. By breaching this dike, the polders behind it around Koewacht were flooded. When restoring the dike, they went around the deepest part of the stream channel.

On this elevated gravel path, you'll discover a special piece of the past and nature at Fort Sint-Jacob. This historic fort is part of the impressive Staats-Spaanse Linies and was strategically located between Fort Sint-Joseph and Fort Sint-Livinus, as part of the line of communication between Hulst and Sas van Gent. Here you can still feel the traces of the Eighty Years' War, when the fort was constructed in 1634 to protect the hinterland against invasions. Just a few years later, it fell into other hands, making the story of this place all the more captivating. Once, Fort Sint-Jacob was a compact, square redoubt with sturdy earthen ramparts and a protective moat. Today, these outlines are still clearly visible in the landscape, allowing visitors to literally walk through history. Thanks to careful restorations, including a reconstructed courtyard and a new drawbridge, the fort has been brought back to life. At the same time, nature has been allowed to run wild here. The area is managed by Staatsbosbeheer and has become a tranquil nature reserve. Whether you are interested in history, enjoy walking or cycling, or simply want to escape the hustle and bustle for a while: Fort Sint-Jacob invites you to come and see, discover, and enjoy.

An ideal stopping point on your cycling or hiking experience: Step back in time and discover a hidden piece of history: Fort Sint-Jacob. This fascinating remnant from the Eighty Years' War takes you back to a period when borders were still fought over and waterways made the difference between safety and danger. Located on the Passageule, this fort once formed a crucial link between the Spanish Netherlands and the States' territories. As part of the impressive States-Spanish Lines, Fort Sint-Jacob guarded the border and held back enemy infiltrations from the north. After the Peace of Münster, the fort lost its military function and slowly faded into obscurity. Nature took over, until around 2010 it was restored with care and respect for the past. Today, you can once again experience the contours of the past, including a replica of a cannon that symbolises the struggle that was once waged here. But Fort Sint-Jacob is more than just history. It is a place where peace and nature meet. The ramparts and moats now form a unique landscape where special plants and animals feel at home, typical of the brackish Zeeland area. Whether you are walking or cycling, this is an ideal place to pause, enjoy, and let yourself be carried away by the past. Let yourself be surprised and experience Fort Sint-Jacob for yourself.

Nice and quiet place to walk (or even cycle). If you are lucky you might see sheep on the path. Here and there on the route there are benches to rest.

Beautiful and quiet forest (if in high season). The hiking trails are almost in order, sometimes it can be a bit muddy during heavy rain. If you are lucky you might spot some deer 😊

The fort and the line dike are still clearly recognizable in the landscape. Restoration work was carried out in 2009, which also included the construction of a new drawbridge and the reconstruction of the courtyard. The fort is now a nature reserve, managed by Staatsbosbeheer. It is freely accessible and there are hiking trails.

The State-Spanish forts (or the few remains of them) remind you that the 80 Years' War (between the Netherlands and the Spanish rulers) once raged here.

The Groote Gat near Koewacht is a remnant of a creek that reminds of a dike breach in the distant past. The water in the creek is fresh, unlike most creeks in Zeeland that have brackish or even salt water.