Nature Reserve the town walls of Damme
("Damse stadswallen")

Location: around the centre of the town, 8340 Damme
Accessibility: partially accessible

Around the historic centre of Damme, lie the 17th century town walls.  These walls are built in the form of a 7-star and are composed of a double ditch with walls.  When Damme was no longer used as a bastion, these town walls were sold publically and largely decayed.  When the canal (Damse Vaart) was dug, the ditches were partially filled up with sand (click here for more information on the history and the architectural composition of the town walls).

The exceptional composition of dry and moist land created an ideal habitat for a rich variety of water wildlife.  A large part of the walls is property of "vzw Natuurpunt" (organisation for the protection of nature), that is having the walls restored to their original state.  The reserve itself is about 55 ha and streches out over both banks of the Damse Vaart. On the side of the center of town, a walking path has been laid from which you have a splendid view on the polders and both ditches.

Next to wellknown animal species, some very rare spiders, insects, birds and flowers can be found here.  For obvious reasons you cannot enter the reserve itself just like that.  Nevertheless, there is a possibility for nature lovers to see everything closer by, but you will have to appeal to an expert guide.  If you come at the right moment, you can see the migrating birds that gather here every year.  Alongside the wall still graze horses and sheep, just like it was centuries ago...

Enjoy, but have respect for nature!

The town walls from historic point of view: more info