Defence Line of Amsterdam-Fort aan de Nekkerweg

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 Nekkerweg is home to a special resort: Fort Resort Beemster. It combines hotel and restaurant facilities with a spa/wellness and conference centre. The entire resort has a zero carbon footprint.

What remains of the fortress are the concrete machine gun positions on top of the front wall and the fort watchman’s house.

In 1886 the Fort along Nekkerweg was completed as a defendable earthwork. The shellproof building was finished in 1912 for the purpose of defending the accesses that were formed by the Nekkerweg and Volgerweg roads in the Beemster Polder. For a short period of time the fortress served as a prison, along with the Fort along Jisperweg and the Fort near Spijkerboor. In 1918 it was put to use as a military building for the detainment of men who were to be brought before the military court, primarily conscientious objectors. The inlet sluice that can be opened to inundate (flood) the Beemster Polder is situated in between the Fort along Middenweg and the Fort along Nekkerweg.

More information is available here.