Defence Line of Amsterdam-Fort Pampus

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.

Located in lake IJmeer, about 20 minutes by boat from the fortress town of Muiden, the Fort Island of Pampus has a unique setting. Pampus is the most visited fort of the Defense Line of Amsterdam with over 40,000 visitors annually. De Stichting Pampus (Pampus Foundation) has developed an ambitious plan to preserve the fort for the future. Each year over eighty volunteers give guided tours to the visitors and organize treasure hunts and pirate themed events for the kids.

A new annual event is the art manifestation ‘Kunst voor Pampus’. The function of Fort Island Pampus was to defend Amsterdam against attack from the former Zuiderzee, in cooperation with the coastal batteries near Diemerdam and Durgerdam.

The fort was constructed between 1887 and 1895 in lake Buiten-IJ (outer IJ). On top of the fort building two huge gun turrets were built, outfitted with two 240 mm calibre guns each. During the Second World War, the gun turrets were blown up by the Germans.

A ferry service from Muiden and Amsterdam IJburg makes the fort island easily accessible. The ferry departs from the Herengracht in Muiden in front of house number 33. Here you’ll see a Fort Island Pampus information sign. If the ferry is not there already, you can wait for it here.

More information is available here.