Fortresses in the Beemster

Did you know that the Dutch Water Lines are unique in the world? This World Heritage Site consists of the Defense Line of Amsterdam (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996) and the New Dutch Water Line (added in 2021). Together, they demonstrate how ingeniously the Netherlands once utilized the landscape, water, and forts for its defense. A particularly notable part of this can be found in the historic Beemster Polder, which was reclaimed as early as 1612. Here lie five forts that were part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam. You can explore three of them yourself: Fort aan de Nekkerweg, Fort Spijkerboor, and Fort bij Edam (open every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).