You could almost say that they were built for nothing: the fortresses of the Dutch Waterlines. Because they have not actively participated in a war and that will not happen again. But instead of tearing down all those disused forts, it was decided to give them a new purpose. For example, to protect other things, such as nature; in many locations it is given ample opportunity to develop in peace and quiet.
Old, but not outdated
The Defense Line of Amsterdam and the New Dutch Waterline together form De Hollandse Waterlinies. These water lines consist of a 200 kilometer long open landscape, which is full of robust fortresses and waterworks. In times of war, the water lines offered protection against the enemy. For example, large areas were sometimes flooded to keep the enemy at a distance.
In addition to our province, they cover entire parts of Utrecht, Gelderland and Brabant. They are so unique that the whole has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Priority for plants and animals
In episode four of our series you can see how nature can develop around the old fortresses. For example, Fort Giessen, the southernmost fort of the water lines, has been transformed into a reserve for bats. They spend the winter there undisturbed in a moist environment with a constant temperature, before moving in the summer to the holes and crevices in the trees in the area.
If you want to know more about this subject, you can do so on the website Dutch Waterlines
Along the Dutch Waterlines consists of 12 episodes and is a collaboration between the regional broadcasters NH, RTV Utrecht, Omroep Gelderland and Omroep Brabant.
The series was made possible in part by: Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden, Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, Waterschap Amstel, Gooi en Vecht, Waterschap Rivierenland, Province of North Holland, Province of Utrecht, Province of Gelderland and Province of North Brabant.