precious-postcards

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.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/759

The Defence Line of Amsterdam was built between 1883 and 1920 to guard the capital Amsterdam. It is the only example of a fortification based on the control of water.

The protection of the centre of the country was ensured by a network of 45 forts and their artillery acting in concert with temporary flooding from polders and an intricate system of canals and locks.

Below you find the full list of fortresses and batteries that make up this worldheritage. Only some of them are (infrequently) open to visitors.

Name of site (Municipality)

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) (on the postcard)

Battery near the IJ before Durgerdam (Amsterdam)

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/list/id/759