Defence Line of Amsterdam-Fort Waver-Amstel

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.

In Fort Waver-Amstel you will find wine importer Krimpenfort Wijnen. Open door days are organized on a regular basis, offering visitors the opportunity to participate in a wine tasting.

Some of the rooms in the fortress can also be rented for parties, receptions and wine tastings.

Fort Waver-Amstel is situated in a beautiful natural area. The fort’s interior is indeed neglected, but still considered unique because it is almost complete. Washrooms, a water reservoir, a kitchen with electric water pump and electrical cabinets are still present, amongst other things.

Fort Waver-Amstel was aimed at defending the area in front of the fortress belonging to the water board district Groot Mijdrecht, the permanently dry strip of land up to the Fort in the Botshol and the eastern inundation sluice. This stronghold, which was completed in 1911, is strategically located at the place where the rivers Amstel and Oude Waver meet. Left of the fort’s moat was an inlet for inundation water. You can still see the small rectangular area, lined with trees, against the dike. Where there’s a change in vegetation the so-called ‘ontvangstbed’ (literally: reception bed) was located, a place where the ground was reinforced with stones to prevent erosion by the incoming water.

More information is available here.