Fort Nieuwersluis | World Heritage the Dutch Waterlines - Nieuwersluis

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.

Part of the Dutch Water Defence Line is Fort Nieuwersluis, a unique piece of nature owned by Natuurmonumenten. In the old barracks there is a coffee, tea and lunch area where you can take a break from your cycle route. In the other part of the barracks, the history of the fort is told through audio stories.

Want to visit other parts of Hollandse Waterlinies? Check out: www.stellingvanamsterdam.nl or https://nieuwehollandsewaterlinie.nl

The photo of Fort Nieuwersluis was taken for Natuurmonumenten by Rene Koster.