Stelling van Amsterdam
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| State Party |  Netherlands |
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| Type | Cultural | |
| Criteria | ii, iv, v | |
| Identification | #735 | |
| Region2 | Europe and North America | |
| Inscription History | ||
| Formal Inscription: | 1996 20th WH Committee Session |
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| WH link: | http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/759 | |
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1 Name as officially inscribed on the WH List |
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The UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Defense 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 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. Monuments Day, on the second Saturday in September, is the ideal day to visit as entrance is free.
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[edit] Function
The Stelling van Amsterdam was primarily a defensive "water line" (in Dutch: waterlinie). In the event of an enemy attack, large tracks of land around Amsterdam would be inundated with water, preventing the enemy from advancing. Amsterdam would function as a national reduit, as the last stronghold of the Netherlands. Forts were built where roads, railways, or dikes crossed through the water line. At such locations there would be no water to stop the enemy, and therefore the forts were intended to shell the enemy.
[edit] Construction
The law for the construction of the Stelling van Amsterdam was passed in 1874. During the preparations prior to construction, it became apparent that the design was already outdated by modern technical advances. The invention of the brisance grenade (which would explode on impact of the target) necessitated the change from masonry to concrete forts. But the Dutch did not have the required experience yet using and building with concrete. Therefore extensive tests had to be performed where concrete structures were shelled with the heaviest artillery available at that time. Further delays resulted from the fact that the sand foundations had to settle for several years before the forts could be built on them. Not until 1897 could the actual construction finally begin.
[edit] Service
The Stelling van Amsterdam has never seen combat service and the use of aircraft rendered it obsolete after World War I. It was however maintained and kept in service until decommissioned in 1963.
The dike through the Haarlemmermeer, which made it possible to flood the southern portion of the polder while the northern portion could continue to produce food for Amsterdam, is now cut by the A4 Motorway. This motorway also goes under the Ringvaart at Roelofarendsveen, making flooding of the Haarlemmermeer Polder and future use of the Stelling no longer possible.
In 1996 the complete Stelling van Amsterdam was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
[edit] The 42 forts of the Stelling
[edit] North front
- Fort at Edam
- Fort at Kwadijk
- Fort at Purmerend
- Fort on the Nekkerweg
- Fort on the Middenweg
- Fort on the Jisperweg
- Fort at Spijkerboor
[edit] Northwest front
- Fort at Markenbinnen
- Fort at Krommeniedijk
- Fort aan den Ham
- Fort at Veldhuis
- Fort on the St. Aagten Dike
- Fort Zuidwijkermeer
- Fort at Velsen
- Fort at IJmuiden
[edit] West front
- Fort North Spaarndam
- Fort South Spaarndam
- Fort at Penningsveer
- Fort at the Liebrug
- Fort on the Liede
[edit] Southwest front
- Fort Vijfhuizen
- Fort at Hoofddorp
- Fort at Aalsmeer
[edit] South front
- Fort at Kudelstaart
- Fort de Kwakel
- Fort on the Drecht
- Fort at Uithoorn
- Fort at Waver-Amstel
- Fort in the Botshol
- Fort on the Winkel
[edit] Southeast front
- Fort at Abcoude
- Fort at Nigtevecht
- Fort at Hinderdam
- Fort Uitermeer
- Fort Weesp
[edit] Zuiderzee front
- Fort Pampus
- Diemerdam
- "Defense at the IJ for Durgerdam" (Vuurtoreneiland)
