Bourtange is a star fort and village in the Westerwolde region of the Dutch
province of Groningen. It is a part of the municipality of Vlagtwedde, and
lies about 32 km northeast of Emmen. The fortifications were initially built
during the Eighty Years' War (c. 1568–1648) when William I of Orange
wanted to control the only road between Germany and the city of
Groningen which was controlled by the Spaniards. This road followed a
sandy ridge (tange) through the marshes.
