Defence Line of Amsterdam-Fort aan de St. Aagtendijk

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 the St. Aagtendijk has been given a remarkable new lease on life as a rehearsal space for musicians. Unique to this fort is the front caponier that was made from concrete: it’s an extension to the centre of the fort’s front wall that is outfitted on both sides with embrasures that could be used to fire sideways. The front of this caponier was protected against shellfire by a heavy protective earth wall.

The original landscape around this fort has changed dramatically due to the construction of the A9. This motorway runs east of the fort right next to the engineer depot.

The Fort along the St. Aagtendijk served as a defence for the St. Aagtendijk (dike) and the west quay of the Zuidwijkermeerpolder. The defensible earthwork was completed in 1895, the shellproof building in 1899. Between the forts of St. Aagtendijk and Zuidwijkermeer you can find a 2.5-kilometre (1.5-mile) long defensive wall.

The fort is open to the public several times per year.

More information is available here.