Nederland - Weesp, Fort Uitermeer

Fort Uitermeer - located on the banks of the river Vecht - is dating back to 1873. The restored tower fort, as well as the historic sluice and part of the old canal were partly brought back to their former glory.

Fort Uitermeer’s function was to defend the 's-Gravelandsche Vaart, the road running alongside this canal and the railway line Amsterdam-Hilversum. At the location of the fort the 's-Gravelandse Vaart flows into the river Vecht via a sluice. As early as the 16th century, this sluice was defended by a “sconce (small protective fortification made of earth). In 1672 (known as the ‘disaster year’ in Dutch history) the “sconce” was reinforced and a year later it was replaced by a permanent fort, which was constructed around the sluice. In 1815 the fort became part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie (New Dutch Waterline).

During World War II Fort Uitermeer was bombed heaviley, causing severe damage. During the Cold War, ammunition depots were put up on the grounds of the fort. In 1959 the fortress lost its function as a defensive structure.

The remains of the Fort Uitermeer (not accessible to the public) are an important part of Dutch history. The ruin of the tower is rare because only 10 bombproof towers remain in the Netherlands. As part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, Fort Uitermeer is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.