Fort Uitermeer | World Heritage the Dutch Waterlines - Weesp

UNESCO World Heritage The Dutch Waterlines tells the story of the strategic use of water in the defence of the Netherlands. The water lines were also called the secret weapon of the Netherlands.

Secret weapon
In a waterline, water is used to stop the enemy. A system of locks, dykes, canals, rivers and pumping stations ensured that entire polders could be flooded. The layer of water was only 40 to 50 centimetres. This was too deep to walk and too shallow to sail. At vulnerable points, forts were built for extra protection. Many of these forts can be visited.

In 2021, UNESCO World Heritage The Stelling van Amsterdam (World Heritage since 1996) will be expanded with the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie to complete the picture of the Waterlinies as one World Heritage Site - the Dutch Waterlines.

The fort has a long history, which goes back to the beginning of the Eighty Years' War. Even before 1589, there must have been a bulwark here with the name Uitermeer. Later, an earthen fortress was built and later still the shellproof tower fort. The fort protected the sluice, the 's-Gravelandse Vaart, roads and railway. The ruin of the tower is rare because only 10 bombproof towers remain in the Netherlands. This is the only one that has been preserved as a ruin. Fort Uitermeer is part of the Dutch Waterline. The walking route 'Rondje Naardermeer' also passes by this fort. The aerial photo was taken by Stichting Aquarius, the other photos by Kenneth Stamp. Unfortunately, the catering facility of the Fort Uitermeer recently burned down and is therefore not available for an indefinite period of time.

Want to visit other parts of the Dutch Waterline? Please visit: www.stellingvanamsterdam.nl or https://nieuwehollandsewaterlinie.nl