Stelling van Amsterdam

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The UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Defense line of Amsterdam, in Dutch named Stelling van Amsterdam, is a ring of fortifications around Amsterdam, consisting of 42 forts, 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 1914. 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. Monumentdag, on the second Saturday in September, is the ideal day to visit as entrance is free.

Unrelated to World Heritage Sites (and also to Amsterdam, the Netherlands): In the county of Berbice in Guyana, there is a town called New Amsterdam. The name New Amsterdam refers to Guyana's Dutch heritage. The Berbice river runs alongside New Amsterdam and there is a Wharf on the outskirts. Locally, however, the Wharf is referred to as Stelling.