Fort route Spaarndam

On this watery route you will pass four forts from Dutch military history: a historical backdrop for an interesting ride. The Fort south of Spaarndam is a fortress from the Defense Line of Amsterdam. Together with the Fort north of Spaarndam, it formed the Spaarndam Position, which consisted of two forts, a line wall and two ancillary batteries. The Spaarndam position had to close off the access roads to Amsterdam. On the west side you will find an inundation area and a forecourt with concrete shell-proof shelters. The fortress has been restored and now houses a gallery and café.

The Fort north of Spaarndam is larger and has been closed for more than 30 years. It is now in neglected condition. Paintings from the early 20th century and graffiti from the time of the German occupation have been found in the fort. Also unique to this fort is the narrow-gauge railway for the transport of ammunition from Zijkanaal B. Guided tours are given during the annual Defense Month in September.

The Fort at Penningsveer, together with the Fort at the Liebrug and the Fort at the Liede, formed part of the Position at the Liede, which was supposed to defend the connections between Amsterdam and Haarlem. The Dutch army used the fort until the mid-1980s for the storage of copper and ammunition. Now it has been refurbished into a country retreat for group accommodations and there is an exhibition hall.

The Fort on the Liebrug is smaller than the forts at Penningsveer and on the Liede. Between this fort and the Fort aan de Liede are the remains of a line wall containing a secondary battery and shard-free shelters. A wine import company is now established between the metre-thick walls of the fort.

After all those historical examples of Dutch martial art you cycle back along the Veerplas recreation area. In the cold half of the year, countless water birds such as the greylag goose, the widgeon and the golden-eye overwinter on the marshy banks. And for those who want to stretch their legs for a while and dip their toes in the cool water: you will find a recreational beach on the west side of the lake.