The Moses Bridge won the 2011 Building of the Year award from the Dutch Architects Association.
The bridge is specifically designed to be invisible from a distance, creating the illusion of people walking through water.
The wood used for the Moses Bridge, Accoya, is treated with vinegar to make it extremely resistant to rot and water damage.
During the Dutch Republic, the water level around the fort was strictly managed; if it were too deep, the enemy could sail, if too shallow, they could march.
The fort served as a key strategic point during the Eighty Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession.
The site was fully restored in 2010 to make it accessible as a public heritage park.
Fort de Roovere is the largest fort on the West Brabant Water Line, a 17th-century defensive structure built to protect Bergen op Zoom against Spanish and French invasions. The site features the 'Moses Bridge' (Mozesbrug), a world-renowned submerged pedestrian bridge designed by RO&AD Architecten. The bridge is constructed from Accoya wood and sits below the water line, effectively making the pedestrian invisible to approaching enemies from the water. The fort's defensive system utilized inundation, where surrounding land could be flooded to prevent enemy passage while keeping the water too shallow for ships. Today, the site functions as part of a scenic recreational trail network through the Brabantse Wal forest area. It includes original earthworks, ramparts, and historic moat sections that remain visible. The fort is part of the larger Zuiderwaterlinie, a chain of fortified cities and forts in southern Netherlands.
From the water's edge at the end of the moat looking directly toward the Moses Bridge to capture the 'walking on water' perspective.
Wear sturdy shoes as the paths surrounding the fort consist of gravel, sand, and unpaved earth.
Visit during a dry spell to ensure the bridge area is fully accessible and not affected by high water levels.
Bring bug spray if visiting in summer, as the surrounding wooded and wetland areas can have significant mosquito activity.
Attempting to visit during or immediately after extreme heavy rainfall, as the moat water may temporarily overflow the bridge.
Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile earthworks of the historic ramparts.
