New Dutch Waterline

This tour is part of a set of 7 tours regarding the water lines in the Netherlands.

A water line is a series of defensive works that are (partly) surrounded by inundated areas.

In the Netherlands, flooding areas turned out to be a good way to stop the enemy. To this end, special water management works were even made (for example, special inundation locks).

A water line is often a string of fortifications with inundation areas in between. The fortifications are located around cities and on higher parts, which cannot be flooded (accesses). Only in case of acute threat were the areas inundated.

The New Dutch Water Line was an impregnable fortress from around 1815 to 1940. He protected Holland from enemy troops. In the event of a threat of war, soldiers from Muiden to the Biesbosch could flood wide strips of land, so that Holland was inaccessible. In strategic positions, the enemy encountered forts, castles and casemates. The Water Line has been put into position three times. The first time was during the French – German War of 1870 – 1871. The second time was during the First World War from 1914 – 1918. A German spy report from that time indicates that the water line then prevented Germany from attacking us. The last mobilization was in 1939-1940 on the eve of World War II. The system then turned out to be woefully outdated, the Germans just flew over it. Today, the open Line Landscape is the largest national monument in the Netherlands and also nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We start this route at Brasserie Het Arsenaal Kooltjesbuurt 1, 1411 RZ Naarden.

The end point is at Restaurant De Waterman Vierlinghstraat 1, 4251 LC Werkendam with terrace on the harbor of Werkendam. It could hardly be more appropriate with this water route.