A haven of green fields and trickling canals, and shaped like a star, Bourtange Fort looks far from martial.
William of Orange commissioned the fort during the Eighty Years War (1568–1648) but by 1851 it had been transformed into a peaceful village. The fort now looks as it did during the eighteenth century, but is now a diverting open-air museum.
This extraordinary double helix staircase, also known as the "Snail Staircase" or "Bramante Double Helix," is a masterpiece crafted by the renowned Renaissance architect Donato Bramante. As visitors ascend or descend this remarkable structure, they become part of a rich tapestry of history and art.