Discover Ritthem

Ritthem, Fort and Nature Reserve

Key themes for a stay in Ritthem include historic Fort Rammekens, the nature of Rammekenshoek, and walking or cycling routes. You can explore the cultural history and landscape separately or include both in your travel plans. The various routes differ mainly in their starting point and mode of transport.

Fort Rammekens and its history

Fort Rammekens lies near Ritthem and is the oldest sea fort in Western Europe. It was built between 1547 and 1552 on the orders of Mary of Hungary, a sister of Charles V. Its purpose was to monitor the shipping route to Middelburg and Antwerp. The construction period and this commission give the fort a clear historical connection to the waterways of that time.

There are also several ways to reach the fort by bicycle: from Vlissingen along the sea dike beside the Western Scheldt, or from Ritthem along Ritthemsestraat. Fort Rammekens is also on the ANWB cycling junction network. You can choose to approach from the direction of Vlissingen or from the direction of Ritthem.

Rammekenshoek: Nature and coastal landscape

Rammekenshoek covers about 80 hectares and is one of the nature reserves on Walcheren mentioned here. These areas are open year-round, except for sensitive zones that are closed to the public. This distinction is important when planning your visit: year-round access does not apply to areas that are explicitly closed.

Some parts of Rammekenshoek have off-leash areas for dogs. In these areas, dogs may run off leash year-round, provided they remain under control and on the paths. This rule applies to these areas; it does not apply generally to all the paths and areas in the nature reserve.

Near Fort Rammekens, outside the sea dike, lies Walcheren’s (still) only salt marsh. This sea-formed area includes tidal creeks and muddy shores, as well as salt-loving plants. Coastal birds that breed there include, among others, redshanks, oystercatchers and grey plovers. For travelers interested in wildlife observation, this spot offers a different focus from the history of the fort.

Planning walking and cycling routes

The ANWB walking route “Uitwaaien op Walcheren” starts at Fort Rammekens. If you arrive by public transport, you can start at Vlissingen railway station; this adds 4.3 kilometers to the route. From Ritthem, you can also walk or cycle back to Vlissingen via the dike. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between a walking route starting at the fort, an additional starting point at the railway station, and a connection via the dike. As route conditions may change, it is advisable to check the latest route information before setting off.

When choosing a hotel for your stay in Ritthem, you can consider what matters most to you: the history of Fort Rammekens, the nature of Rammekenshoek, or walking and cycling routes. This lets you tailor your travel plans to the things that interest you locally.

Discover more destinations: Vlissingen, Oost-Souburg.

Return to the main travel overview: Vlissingen.