Defence Line of Amsterdam-Batterij aan de Sloterweg

The UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Defence Line of Amsterdam (in Dutch named Stelling van Amsterdam) is a 135 km long ring of fortifications around Amsterdam, consisting of 42 forts located between 10 to 15 kilometers the centre, and lowlands that can easily be flooded in time of war. The flooding was designed to give a depth of about 30 cm, insufficient for boats to traverse. Any buildings within 1 km of the line had to be made of wood, so that they could be burnt and the obstruction removed.

The Stelling van Amsterdam was constructed between 1880 and 1920. The invention of the aeroplane and tank made the forts obsolete almost as soon as they were finished. Many of the forts now are under the control of the town councils and the nature department, and may be visited. Monuments Day, on the second Saturday in September, is the ideal day to visit as entrance is free.

Dating back to 1906 the Battery along Sloterweg (a road that is nowadays called Rijnlanderweg) is well preserved, unlike the Battery along IJweg. The battery is located between the forts near Aalsmeer and Hoofddorp.

Because of safety concerns, the Battery along Sloterweg can’t be visited. It is possible to view the battery from the outside, though.

In the old days, the Battery along Sloterweg provided flanking support to the main defence line (the Geniedijk). Because a wide area around the battery could be inundated (flooded), there was no need to build a strong fortress here. Although it is a small defensive structure, the battery’s design displays similarities with the designs of the larger Defence Line forts.

More information is available here.