Waterline I

Old estates, impressive castles, historic country estates and rural landscaped gardens. That is what awaits you in the Vecht region. The legacy of the nobility from the Golden Age is clearly reflected in the spacious, stately country houses, but nature also leaves its mark on the environment. Many watercourses, which can be traced back to the river Vecht, result in a great diversity of greenery. The lakes attract recreation and nature lovers. The New Dutch Waterline played an important role in Dutch history as a defense line and runs through the Vecht region. The New Dutch Waterline was constructed in the eighteenth century and replaced the Dutch Waterline, which dates from the end of the seventeenth century. The new line stretched 85 kilometers from an island in the Zuiderzee to the Biesbosch. The defense line included 46 forts and the fortified towns of Muiden, Weesp, Naarden, Gorinchem and Woudrichem. By means of an ingeniously devised system, the height of the water in certain areas near the waterline could be regulated, making passage impossible for ships and men on foot or on horseback. Massive forts were built in places where inundation was not possible, or where roads had been built. Because these forts were developed to optimally defend the environment, most fortifications are unique. Construction of the water line was planned in 1815 and was not completed until 1870; the construction took several decades! The water line was deployed during the Franco-Prussian War and during the First and Second World Wars. During the bike ride you will encounter several beautiful forts and country houses. The first fort on the route is the Fort on the Ossenmarkt in Weesp. The fort is built entirely of brick and the walls are approximately 1.80 meters thick. Originally a moat surrounded the fort, but this was filled in in 1876. Since 1901, the fort has been part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam. The fort was restored in 1993 and today it serves as an office building for several companies. Fort Uitermeer is located on the Vecht River, between forests and meadows. The fortress is part of the New Dutch Waterline. The tower fort is an important eye-catcher in the area and also offers beautiful views over the Naardermeer and the many country estates in the area. The first attraction that is not a fort is the Gabriel mill. The mill is still operational, but out of operation. The mill was built in 1635 and is now used as a home. Then you come to a series of beautiful country estates. Oud Oever is a country estate along the east side of the Vecht River and was built around 1700. The nationally listed country estate has a main building, historic garden and park, a garden dome and a horse stable and coach house. The park garden was laid out later around 1920, which explains the difference in style. Loenen aan de Vecht is also the location of Huis Bijdorp. This house is inhabited and cannot be visited, but it does offer an impressive sight. It was built in the seventeenth century, is three windows wide and consists of two floors. The area around the house is a rectangular piece of land, covered with trees. Elongated growing beds have also been constructed. Other beautiful country estates are Huis Vegtlust, Weerestein, Vechtzigt, Groene Vecht, Queekhoven, Vegt en Hoff and Slangevegt. There are also castles on the route: Gunterstein and Oudaen. The tour ends with a visit to one of the forts of the New Dutch Waterline. Fort Tienhoven was built between 1848 and 1850 to close the Tienhovense Vaart. The fortress defended the inundation quay, a dam lock and a crow's lock against hostile waterborne traffic. The fort is not accessible, but even from the outside the fort is an imposing building.