Defence Line of Amsterdam-Fort aan de Middenweg

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.

The Fort along Middenweg was finished in 1914, as was the Fort along Jisperweg, making them the final Defence Line fortresses to reach completion. A remarkable feature of the fort is the cleaning facility, a hall outfitted with a water reservoir at the ceiling and tiltable wash basins – a novelty in those days. Along the access road to the fortress you can find a prime example of a stone fort watchman’s house. The grass atop the fortress is mowed twice a year, giving rise to grasslands that are rich in flowers.

The function of the Fort along Middenweg was to defend the access that was formed by the Middenweg and Zuiderweg roads. In 1885 the fort was completed as a defendable earthwork. It was not until 1914 that the fortress reached its final completion, though, when the construction of the shellproof building was finished.

The fort is not open to the public and is part of a nature reserve.

More information is available here.