Fortification remains, museums and routes through polder landscapes give Steenbergen a character shaped by cultural history and nature. When planning, you can choose different areas of focus: historic waterlines, museums and literary sites, or walks through the landscape.
Fortification history in Steenbergen and Benedensas
Steenbergen is one of the fortified towns along the Zuiderwaterlinie. The remains of Steenbergen’s fortifications were part of both this line and the West-Brabantse Waterlinie. Restored bastions and the historic line moat are clearly visible in the town.
At Fort Henricus, you can explore the site on foot together with its five associated bastions. Information panels explain how the fort worked. You can also climb the observation tower; check access before setting out. In Benedensas, the lock was an important strategic point during the Belgian Revolution around 1831. Three batteries were also built there as gun emplacements for its protection.
Museums, buildings and literary sites
The Gummaruskerk was built to a design by P.J.H. Cuypers. The A.M. de Jong Museum is one of the Netherlands’ writers’ houses; it also houses the collection of the Heemkundekring. A statue of Merijntje Gijzen stands in front of the museum, where you can start the Merijntje-Gijzen cycling route. It runs through the polders of Nieuw-Vossemeer and De Heen to locations where outdoor scenes for the popular 1973 television series “Merijntje Gijzen’s Jeugd” were filmed.
Museum De Klokgevel is housed in a municipal Rijksmonument dating from 1737. The Koffie- & Theemuseum De Klokgevel displays a private collection of more than 3,000 tea packages and 4,000 coffee packages; these collection figures may change. The museum has limited accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility. Check the conditions before your visit.
Molen Assumburg is an octagonal grain mill with a gallery on a round stone base. As a mill museum, it displays scale models of mills, photographs and historical objects. From the gallery, visitors can look out over the polders. The Ambachts- en Gereedschapsmuseum De Holle Roffel displays tools from many old trades, including those of coopers, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, saddlers and beekeepers.
Nature and practical information
The natural surroundings of Steenbergen include mudflats, creeks, channels and rugged vegetation. In the Dintelse Gorzen nature area, fresh and saline soils alternate, creating a diverse range of vegetation. Glasswort and sea lavender grow on the low mudflats. From Natuurpoort Benedensas, the Dintelse Gorzen can be reached via a self-service lock. Check access before setting out.
By public transport, travel by bus from Bergen op Zoom station to De Heense Molen, then continue on foot for half an hour. Transport connections may change, so it is advisable to check before travelling. The Benedensas walking route crosses bridges, follows ditches and goes over tree trunks; trail conditions may vary seasonally. Coffee and tea are available at the ferry house along the route. Check before your walk whether this service is available.
Choose routes by distance
The “De Kromme Hoek Om” circular route is a 9-kilometre walk through the countryside around Kruisland. The Blauwe Sluis route is 25 kilometres long and runs through the polder area of Kruisland, Steenbergen and Dinteloord. The distances and places mentioned give you different points of reference when choosing a route. Walking and cycling are also options in Steenbergen’s natural surroundings.
Discover more places: Steenbergen, Steenbergen, Nieuw-Vossemeer, De Heen, Dinteloord.
Discover more destinations: Uden, Nuenen, Gerwen En Nederwetten, Sint-Michielsgestel.
Return to the regional travel overview: North Brabant.
