Fort Bourtange is a star-shaped fortress located in the village of Bourtange in the Netherlands. It was originally constructed in 1593 during the Eighty Years' War on the orders of William the Silent to control the only road between Germany and the city of Groningen, which was controlled by Spanish forces at the time. The fort is notable for its distinctive star-shaped design, which was a common military fortification style of the period, aimed at providing optimal defensive capabilities. After serving various military purposes over the centuries, Fort Bourtange was eventually decommissioned in the mid-19th century. In the 1960s, a major restoration project began, transforming the fort into a historical monument and open-air museum. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into 16th and 17th-century military architecture and life.
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