Bourtange is a fortified village in the southeastern part of the Groningen province in the Netherlands. The region in which it lies is called Westerwolde.
The fortifications were initially built during the Eighty Years' War when William of Orange wanted to control the only road between Germany and the city of Groningen which was controlled by the Spaniards. This road follows a sandy ridge (tange) through the marshes.
Later, around 1594, Bourtange became part of the border-fortifications between the northern provinces (Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe) and Germany.
In 1851 the fort was given up and Bourtange became a normal village in Westerwolde.
Around 1960 living conditions in the village deteriorated and it was decided that Bourtange would be rebuilt in the state of 1742. Nowadays it is a museum-village close to the border with Germany.