Bredevoort
Bastion Stoltenborg was one of the six bastions of Bredevoort. It was situated to the east of the town, at what is now the start of Pater Jan de Vriesstraat, and formed part of the Bredevoort fortifications.
Behind the houses on the Ambthuiswal lay the eight-metre-high hollow bastion, equipped with three cavaliers (katten) in each corner. The terreplein was accessible from Hozenstraat and Ambthuiswal. The gorge (keel), or entrance to the bastion, was located just past the junction with Gasthuisstraat, directly in front of the town farm situated next to the Ambtshof.
The name Stoltenborg is thought to be related to the German word ‘stolz’ (proud), perhaps referring to the proud ‘borg’ (stronghold) of Bredevoort.
Reconstruction
The image shows a reconstruction of Bastion Stoltenborg. It illustrates the bastion’s position relative to the houses that stand there today; the adjacent building is the town farm next to the Ambtshof, with Gasthuisstraat running in front of it. The reconstruction also shows the onderwal (lower rampart) situated in front of the bastion. The moat has since been filled in; the site is now occupied by ‘t Bastion school and the surrounding modern housing.
