IJzendijke

The town was first mentioned in 1127 as Isendica, and means "dike of Iso (person)".[3] IJzendijke used to be a possession of the Saint Peter's Abbey in Ghent. In 1127, it joined the Flemish Hanseatic League.[4] In 1303, it received city rights. It was flooded in 1374,[5] and lost completely in the St. Elizabeth's flood of 1404.[4]

In 1587, a sconce was constructed by the Spanish troops, and conquered by Maurice, Prince of Orange in 1604. Two polders were constructed, and after 1618, an octagon fortress was built with a central market square. In 1648, IJzendijke became a garrison city.[4]

The Dutch Reformed church is an aisleless church built between 1612 and 1614. Between 1656 and 1659, it was enlarged to a stretched octagon. The war damage was repaired in 1949.[4]

Even though the fortress was deemed unconquerable, Napoleon managed to take the city.[5] IJzendijk was home to 2,068 people in 1840.[6] The fortification were demolished between 1841 and 1843 except for a western part.[4]

The southern part of the IJzendijke was severely damaged in 1944.[4] IJzendijke was a separate municipality until 1970. Prior to 2003, the town was in the municipality of Oostburg.[7] In 2003, it became part of the municipality of Sluis.[6]

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  Central square
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  Reformed church
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  Church: de Onze Lieve Vrouwe ten Hemelopnemingskerk
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  Windmill: de Witte Juffer
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  Museum