Defence Line of Amsterdam-Fort De Kwakel

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 premises of the Fort near De Kwakel are now home to Bar ’t Fort and the offices of various associations. Spaces are also rented out for parties.

Today, one of the courtyards features a partially covered terrace with a beach volleyball court, whereas the other courtyard can serve as an ice rink and is put under water if there's frost.

The function of the Fort near De Kwakel was to defend the eastern ring dike of the Zuiderlegmeerpolder as well as the Kleine Drecht and the road running alongside this river. The Fort near De Kwakel was completed in 1897 as a defensible earthwork. The shellproof building dates back to 1906. The right-side front wall features a concrete artillery deployment (battery) that is directed at the road to Vrouwenakker. The de-ironing installation, which was used to make groundwater drinkable, still survives. It can be found on the outside in the corner between the main building and the left gorge casemate. Near the fortress you can also see the fort watchman's house and the engineer depot, which was converted to housing.

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More information is available here.