Defence Line of Amsterdam-Fort Liebrug

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.

Today the Fort near the Liebrug offers a home to, amongst others, wine importers Les Chiens Blancs and Wine & Olive Life as well as DS Ruitersport, a store offering equestrian supplies. Wine importer Les Chiens Blancs is open every last Saturday of the month and holds regular wine tastings. Wine & Olive Life presents a wine tasting event every last Sunday of the month. DS Ruitersport regularly organizes theory courses and themed events in the evenings, as well as art exhibitions. These exhibitions are held concurrently with wine tastings by Les Chiens Blancs and Wine & Olive Life.

The Fort near the Liebrug had the job of defending the accesses formed by the railway, canal and road to Amsterdam. Since the main defence tasks were performed by the Fort near Penningsveer and the Fort along the Liede, a smaller-sized defensive structure on this location was sufficient. Unlike in many other forts, the gorge casemates in the Fort near the Liebrug vary in size. Between this fortress and the Fort along the Liede you can find the remains of a defence line wall containing a secondary battery and accommodation that offered protection against fragmentation ammunition.

More information is available here.