The unknown fortress - "Stelling van Amsterdam"

by Hans-Rudolf Neumann

Cover picture: Start of the study group tour in front of Fort Resort Beemster with marketing manager Anna Plat

From 28 September to 5 October 2024, a pilot and study tour to the "Stelling van Amsterdam" took place with seven international experts from Germany, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands under the direction of Dr.-Ing. The complex, which can be classified as a large fortress, consists of more than forty buildings which, in conjunction with existing canals and locks, form a defence ring around Amsterdam. Most of the structures are casemated concrete forts; their construction began in the nineties of the 19th century, took more than a quarter of a century due to various adaptations in view of the further development of artillery ranges, and was already outdated as a whole by the First World War. During the German occupation in the Second World War, the armament was melted down and the forts were often used as ammunition depots and prisons. The Dutch army continued to use some forts as depots for a while during the Cold War before the fortress was completely abandoned.

When the building was placed under protection and categorised as a World Heritage Site in 1996, considerations and restoration work for a future and profitable continued use began, which have not yet been completed. The study group, together with the various owners and current users, was able to see for themselves the current status of the work on a total of 31 objects on six different fronts. It became clear that very different models have been developed in the past to ensure the continued existence of the fortress as a whole in harmony with monument and nature conservation.

After a remarkable introductory lecture by the "Documentatiecentrum Stelling van Amsterdam" on the evening of arrival at the Corendon Schiphol airport hotel, a detailed report of the group's first day of excursions to Fort Pampus appeared in several editions of Mediahuis Nederland B.V. in the local press around Amsterdam on 30 September under the title 'Geen toerist te bekennenop Stelling'. The attention of visitors and visitors was also linked to a certain curiosity, as the development of a tourism concept - especially for foreign tourists - is still a major task for most of the sites. So far, the individual forts can usually only be visited at weekends; in September each year there are also themed events.