Old Dutch Water Line

Nearly 350 years ago, the old Dutch Water Line (Oude Hollandse Waterlinie) proved to be an effective defence against the Spanish and French armies. By flooding large tracts of land, the enemy were unable to advance. The land is still dotted with a large number of reminders of this time: fortified towns and cities, windmills to pump water, bridges, drainage sluices, and flood defences.

The defensive line, which ran from present-day IJsselmeer in the north to what is now the Biesbosch National Park in the south, included strongholds at Muiden, Weesp, Naarden, Nieuwersluis, Montfoort, Woerden, Oudewater, Fort Wierickerschans, Schoonhoven, Nieuwpoort, Gorinchem and Woudrichem - all places worth visiting!