Waterline II

Old estates, impressive castles, historic country estates and rural gardens. That is what awaits you in the Vecht region, near the capital of Utrecht. That city received city rights in 1122 and has developed into one of the most vibrant cities in the Netherlands in recent centuries. Characteristic of Utrecht are the canals and the highest church tower in the Netherlands: the Dom Tower is no less than 112.32 meters high. The many noble country houses on the Vecht show that it was a good place to stay in the Golden Age. They are often surrounded by spacious estates and beautiful park gardens and the waterways that originate from the Vecht result in a great diversity of greenery. The Vecht region also formed an important line of defense in Dutch history. The New Dutch Waterline was constructed in the eighteenth century and replaced the Dutch Waterline. The new line was 85 kilometres long and consisted of 46 forts and the fortified towns of Muiden, Weesp, Naarden, Gorinchem and Woudrichem. The line allowed the water to be regulated in certain areas and thus formed a good defence mechanism against enemies. Ships got stuck and soldiers on horseback or on foot could no longer cross the area. Massive forts were built in places where inundation was not possible, or where roads had been constructed. Because these forts were developed to optimally defend the area, most of the fortifications are unique. The waterline was used during the Franco-Prussian War and during the First and Second World Wars. A number of the impressive defences that you will pass along the route are part of the New Dutch Waterline, while other fortifications protected something else. For example, Bastion Sonnenborgh was built for the defence of Utrecht, together with three other bastions. Construction of the stronghold started in 1544 and the stronghold was put into use from 1552. The bastion houses a public observatory with a museum for meteorology, astronomy and bastion history. The bastion was last restored in 2001. There are four Lunettes on the Houtense Vlakte, which together formed one large defensive structure for Utrecht. Fort Lunet 2 is part of this. Lunet 2 was built between 1822 and 1823. In 1997, the municipality of Utrecht bought the fort and restored it in 2009-2010. Fort Lunet 3 was built between 1822 and 1824. At the end of 1939, the Ministry of Defence decided to shift the defensive line and work on Fort Lunet 3 was stopped. The shell therefore has no roof and no foundation plate. The restoration of the gun casemate has been completed. Since 2011, there has been a childcare facility and a scouting group in the fort. Fort Lunet 4 was built between 1819 and 1821. On the attack side of this fort, loopholes were made in the walls and on either side gun casemates. In 1936 and 1939, a concrete gun casemate and two concrete shelters were added. Lunet 4 is currently used by a scouting group. The Werk aan de Waalse Wetering dates from 1875 and was also part of the New Dutch Waterline. There are barracks and a depot for artillery in the rampart. The fort had room for 94 soldiers and 10 pieces of artillery. The fort guard's house is also located nearby. Fort Honswijk, built between 1841 and 1848, was the first and largest tower fort in the New Dutch Waterline. The bomb-proof tower was surrounded by a moat. Fort Honswijk served as protection for the Lekacces; the Lekdijk and the inner-dike ridges. The fort was improved between 1879 and 1888 with a bombproof gate, a warehouse, a casemate and four depots. The Lunet aan de Snel is a defensive structure just north of Fort Honswijk. From 1871 onwards, the Defence Line of Honswijk was improved. The Lunet aan de Snel was also taken in hand. In 1873, the rampart was reinforced and a bombproof building was built along the lunet. A new inundation canal was also dug for extra defence. The lunet aan de snel is sporadically used by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service as a storage space for found explosives. That is why the site is not accessible. The structure on the Korte Uitweg was built in 1877 to defend Fort Honswijk. The barracks were used as accommodation for troops and as a storage facility. The wooden shed next to the barracks was mainly used as storage for artillery. There is a depot behind the barracks. The grounds and buildings are open on Sundays from 12:00 to 17:00. Fort Vechten was built from 1867 to 1870. Within the moat, the fort is 17 hectares in size. From 1950 to 1996, Fort Vechten was used by the military for the storage of metal and rubber inner and outer tires. Since 1996, the fort has been owned by Staatsbosbeheer and is used for recreational purposes. Camping is possible, parties are held and various outdoor events are organized. Guided tours are given in the summer period. Fort Voordorp is also part of the New Dutch Waterline. The fort was built between 1867 and 1871. After the restoration of the fort and the buildings in the area, a number of the buildings are used as event locations. The Fort on the Voordorpse Dijk was built between 1867 and 1871. The function of the fort was to protect the surrounding areas, for example the railway line to Amersfoort and surrounding inundation facilities. In 1878 the fort was adapted; a 38-metre long tunnel was constructed under the rampart to be able to move the artillery. The barracks were enlarged and a bomb-proof ammunition depot was built. However, an attack on this fort never took place, which is why the barracks have remained largely unused. In 1960 it lost its function as a defence structure and was used for ammunition storage for a few more years. After a restoration in 1998 and a renovation in 2000, the fort is used as an event location. You will not only see historical forts, but also come across nice mills. Poldermolen Buitenweg was built in 1830. Its function was to drain the 288-hectare polder Buitenweg. More than 100 years after its construction, the hollow post mill was extensively renovated. The wooden upper shaft was replaced by a cast iron upper shaft and the mill was given new sails. If you want to view the mill, you can do so by appointment. Stellingmolen Rijn en Zon was built in 1912 and its function was to grind grain. The mill was equipped with self-swinging and that almost proved fatal in 1949. When a storm came, the millers were unable to get the mill under control, causing the mill to run wild and only came to a standstill when almost all the valves had blown away. Restoration work was not carried out until 1977, after the municipality had bought the mill. Flour that was ground in the mill itself is still sold at the bottom of the mill.