Stelling van Amsterdam - a UNESCO world heritage site
is a 135 km long ring of fortifications around Amsterdam, consisting of 42 forts located between 10 and 15 kilometers from 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 1920. 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 both 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.
on google maps: https://www.stellingvanamsterdam.nl/en/ ... on-the-map
looks like another nice excuse to pedal outside of town (including visiting those out-lying coffeeshops), without going too far.
if/when i do this i'll probably break the pedal into 3-6 sections, one each day, returning back to mokum central in the eve.
a few those forts...
Fort bij De Kwakel
Fort benoorden Purmerend
Fort aan de Nekkerweg
Fort aan de St. Aagtendijk
...all from Komoot's Stelling bike route...
https://www.komoot.com/tour/10868351/zoom
Defence Line of Amsterdam (Stelling van Amsterdam)
- EasilySuede
- Posts: 932
- Joined: Sun 13th Nov 2011 10:38 am
- Location: a special place in hell