The nature reserve 'De Stadswallen van Damme':
The spring is finaly here. A perfect moment to charge yourself in the natural environment around Bruges. That's why the reserve 'De Stadswallen van Damme' is chosen to be our hotspot from the week. It is the perfect natural area for a walking or cycling tour with the whole family. The paths are accessible for wheelchairs and baby buggy's. Discover one of the most beautiful nature areas in West-Flanders.
After the military importance from past centuries dissapeared, the slots evolved to a diverse swamp biotope. Find the natural diversity: open pubbles with rare birdkinds and animals, moist fields, hay fields, swampforrests,...
A dive in history
In the 16th century, Damme was an important strategic point because it was located between Bruges and the hostile city Sluis. During the armistice from the Spanish war, they 've build a stronghold in Damme with a defensive wall, a second walling surrounded by canals. The main wall is build to the example of the Old-Dutch-System and existed our of seven bastions connected by smaller walls.
The nature reserve Stadsomwalling Damme today:
The properties which belonged with the stronghold, were sold public at the end of the 18th century and they equalised the walls. What remains are small descending hills who funcion as pastures. In 1982 the former association of Belgian Nature- and bird reserves bought parts of the Stadswallen. Now the association owns more of the half of the reserve. They protect and watch over the diversity from the valuable biotope and also taak responsibility for the restauration of the 17th century walls. On different places, the nature association allready set parts of the oThe last project is situated at 'd Oude Schaapskooi. Through the site runs an educational road with informational panels to give the visitors an cultural-historical and ecological insight of the area.
