The Defence Line of Amsterdam

Extending 135 km around the city of Amsterdam, this Defence Line (built between 1883 and 1920) is the only example of a fortification based on the principle of controlling the waters. Since the 16th century, the people of the Netherlands have used their expert knowledge of hydraulic engineering for defence purposes. The centre of the country was protected by a network of 45 armed forts, acting in concert with temporary flooding from polders and an intricate system of canals and locks.

In 1922 the Defence Line of Amsterdam was included in what is referred to as the Vesting Holland (Holland Stronghold). This area was to be defended tenaciously in times of war. It comprised the province of North Holland, South of the line from Edam to Castricum, the province of South Holland, and the western half of the province of Utrecht.

As a result, the northern and eastern parts of the Defence Line of Amsterdam were maintained as a defence line, but its function as a circular defence line became defunct. The other forts remained military objects within the Vesting Holland as accommodation for staff and material.

Throughout the 1930s, particularly with the growing threat of war in Europe, the Vesting Holland was reinforced in several ways; for instance, concrete bunkers were added to the eastern part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and inundations remained an important element in defending the country. Just before the outbreak of World War II, the Dutch government decided on a general mobilisation (August 1939) and proceeded to partially inundate the land at the eastern front of the Vesting Holland; this coincided with the New Dutch Inundation Line.

The fort at Spijkerboor in the Beemster Polder is the only fort of the Defence Line of Amsterdam that still has an armoured turret with two canons, which can be visited by the public.

The Defence Line was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996 because of its value for all mankind.

Justification for Inscription

The Committee decided to inscribe the nominated property on the basis of cultural criteria (ii), (iv) and (v) considering that the site is of outstanding universal value as it is an exceptional example of an extensive integrated defence system of the modern period which has survived intact and well conserved since it was created in the later 19th century. It is also notable for the unique way in which the Dutch genius for hydraulic engineering has been incorporated into the defences of the nation's capital city.


Where to find?

  • Fort near Edam (Edam-Volendam)
  • Fort near Kwadijk (never completed) (Zeevang)
  • Fort North of Purmerend (Beemster)
  • Fort along Nekkerweg (Beemster)
  • Fort along Middenweg (Beemster)
  • Fort along Jisperweg (Beemster)
  • Fort near Spijkerboor (Beemster)
  • Fort near Marken-Binnen (Uitgeest)
  • Fort near Krommeniedijk (Uitgeest)
  • Fort along de Ham (Zaanstad)
  • Fort near Veldhuis (Heemskerk)
  • Fort along the St. Aagtendijk (Beverwijk)
  • Fort Zuidwijkermeer (Beverwijk)
  • Fort near Velsen (Beverwijk)
  • Coastal Fort near IJmuiden (Velsen)
  • Fort North of Spaardam (Velsen)
  • Fort South of Spaardam (Haarlem)
  • Fort near Penningsveer (Haarlemmerliede)
  • Fort near the Liebrug (Haarlemmerliede)
  • Fort de Liede (Haarlemmerliede)
  • Fort Bij Heemstede (Haarlemmermeer)
  • Advanced defense at Vijfhuizen (Haarlemmermeer)
  • Fort near Vijfhuizen (Haarlemmermeer)
  • Battery along IJweg (Haarlemmermeer)
  • Fort near Hoofddorp (Haarlemmermeer)
  • Battery along Sloterweg (Haarlemmermeer)
  • Fort near Aalsmeer (Haarlemmermeer)
  • Fort near Kudelstaart (Aalsmeer)
  • Fort near de Kwakel (Uithoorn)
  • Fort along the Drecht (Uithoorn)
  • Fort near Uithoorn (De Ronde Venen)
  • Fort near Wavel-Amstel (De Ronde Venen)
  • Fort in the Waver-Botshol (never completed) (Abcoude)
  • Fort along De Winkel (never completed) (Abcoude)
  • Fort near Abcoude (Abcoude)
  • Fort near Nigtevecht (Abcoude)
  • Fort near Hinderdam (Weesp)
  • Fort Uitermeer (Weesp)
  • Weesp Fortress - Defensive tower on the Ossenmarket (Weesp)
  • Muiden Fortress (Muiden)
  • Muiden west battery (Muiden)
  • Fort Kijkuit ('s-Graveland)
  • Battery near the IJ before Diemerdam (Diemen)
  • Fort along the Pampus (Muiden)
  • Battery near the IJ before Durgerdam (Amsterdam)

The Defensive Line of Amsterdam The Defensive Line of Amsterdam Fort IJ in Muiden A fort a the kwadijk in 1959 The Muiden Castle Pampus If Sleeping Beauty is still in there? : ) Fort Uitermeer Fort Kudelstaart Fort Abcoude One of the inundation sluices near Utrecht
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