Wierickeroute

The Wierickeroute is once again accessible to walkers. ProRail closed the unguarded railway crossing at Nieuwerbrug in 2021. Subsequently, discussions began between the municipality of Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Gasunie, and ProRail. They found an alternative (an existing tunnel 100m next to the former railway crossing) to make it applicable for walkers. Initially, the parties considered it all too expensive. Thanks to the efforts of Walking Association TeVoet, the pedestrian tunnel was ultimately realized.

The Wierickeroute tells the story of the Old Dutch Waterline. This waterline was the defense of Holland in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Intentionally flooding an area had proven to be an effective method of defense. In the Disaster Year of 1672, a waterline was hurriedly established between the Zuiderzee and the Merwede to halt the French troops under Louis XIV before they could conquer Holland as well. This line ran from Muiden through Nieuwerbrug and Goejanverwellesluis to Gorinchem. Utrecht was excluded because the city had already been conquered by the French at that time. The land between the Enkele- and Dubbele Wericke was flooded to keep the French at bay. In December 1672, 9000 French soldiers crossed the narrow strip of water at Nieuwerbrug because it was frozen. After plundering Zwammerdam, they retreated again due to the incoming thaw.

After this line held firm in 1672, it gained a more permanent character as well as its name. Access points were reinforced with numerous forts, batteries, and other fortifications, including Fort Wierickerschans. Up until the Napoleonic era, the line was shifted several times to the east, without enclosing the city of Utrecht. From 1815, a completely new defensive line was established with this city as the central point: a line that was officially called the New Dutch Waterline from 1871, to distinguish it from the line that would later be referred to as the Old Dutch Waterline.