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This map depicts the fortified town of Bergen op Zoom, located in the Dutch province of North Brabant. Engraved and published by John Luffman in 1801, the map provides a detailed representation of the town’s layout and defensive works, reflecting its historical significance as a strategic stronghold in the Low Countries.
The central focus of the map is the intricate system of bastions, ramparts, and canals that surround Bergen op Zoom. The town’s defensive structure, highlighted in pink, showcases its nearly impregnable design, considered a masterpiece of military engineering by the renowned Dutch military architect Menno van Coehoorn. These fortifications, which include angled bastions and moats, were designed to withstand sieges and repel attackers effectively.
To the southwest of the town, the map depicts Fort Isabella, an auxiliary fortification guarding the approaches to the main town. The inclusion of this fort underscores the layered defenses that made Bergen op Zoom one of the most formidable fortresses in the region.
The surrounding terrain, shown in muted tones, consists of low-lying marshlands and waterways characteristic of the Dutch landscape. These natural features were integral to the town’s defensive strategy, as they could be flooded to deter or slow advancing armies. The network of roads and bridges leading to Bergen op Zoom is also depicted, highlighting the town’s accessibility and its role as a key node in the region’s transportation network.
The caption at the bottom of the map notes Bergen op Zoom’s reputation as an “almost impregnable” fortress, which played a critical role during several conflicts in European history. The town successfully resisted sieges in the 16th and 17th centuries but was captured by the French in 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession. It was again taken by the French in 1794 during the Revolutionary Wars.
![[ Holy Roman Empire ] Germaniae nova tabula A. G. Mercatore, Delineata, & An. I. Piscator Edita. /
Germaniae post omnes in hac forma . . .](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/105197.jpg)
