Defence Line of Amsterdam-Fort Vijfhuizen

Fort Vijfhuizen was a component of the Stelling van Amsterdam, an approximately 135-kilometer-long defense ring built between 1880 and 1920. This extensive system of forts, dikes, and waterways was designed to protect the capital through targeted inundations in the event of an attack. However, the facility was never used militarily. In 1996, the preserved structures of the Stelling van Amsterdam, including Fort Vijfhuizen, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fort was specifically designed to defend the ring canal, the dike of the Haarlemmermeerpolder, and an adjacent strip of land that had to remain dry. A unique, reconstructed metal pioneer camp is still preserved here, as is a secondary battery in the nearby Geniedijk. The fort is surrounded by a double moat that could be filled with water from the ring canal via a still-existing lifting mechanism.

The fortress is located in Vijfhuizen, in the province of Noord-Holland, within the West-Nederland region of the Netherlands. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 10 meters above sea level.

Today, Fort Vijfhuizen is an art fort, serving as a center for contemporary art and studios. Visitors can explore the grounds and view permanent outdoor artworks. Inside the fort, the history of Amsterdam's defense belt and Fort Vijfhuizen is presented, with various interior rooms also accessible. Guided tours of the art fort and its surroundings can be arranged upon request. The fort grounds are open from Tuesday to Friday, and the exhibition rooms from Friday to Sunday. A restaurant within the fort also offers dining options.

• Stelling Amsterdam-Fort aan de Liede (fortress), approx. 3.8 km away
• Stelling Amsterdam-Fort Liebrug (fortress), approx. 4.4 km away
• Huis Ipenrode (castle), approx. 4.4 km away
• Huis te Manpad (manor house and estate), approx. 4.9 km away