OLD DUTCH WATERLINE

The Netherlands’s most fascinating waterline

The Old Dutch Waterline is the most fascinating waterline in the Netherlands, founded on a centuries-old military history that began in the ‘disastrous year’ of 1672. The low-lying, marshy borderland between the provinces of Holland and Utrecht was chosen to develop the waterline, with polders that could be flooded to protect Holland's wealthy towns and cities. Remnants of the Old Dutch Waterline can still be seen and admired in fortified centres across the Utrecht region to this day, from castles and forts to the canals that snake through the landscape.

Visit the fortified cities - Experience the Old Dutch Waterline

Highlights of the waterline

  • Montfoort Castle

    In Montfoort you can see the old castle and numerous remains of the city wall and ramparts. Montfoort was razed by the French army in 1672. When they left, all that remained of the castle was its entry gates. Today, this is a lovely venue for lunches, dinners, parties and other functions.

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    Montfoort Castle

  • Nieuwersluis Fort

    Though extensively renovated in the nineteenth century, Nieuwersluis Fort pre-dates the creation of the New Dutch Water Line. Tip: Go on the Water Line Walk in Nieuwersluis and discover more about its history.
     

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    Nieuwersluis Fort

  • Linschoten Line

    The historic water line is still visible in the landscape around Linschoten. Also check out the concrete scale model of the line, four metres in length. The Linschoten Line originally stretched more than a kilometre and had ramparts four metres high encircled by canals.

     

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    Linschoten Line

  • Woerden Castle

    Woerden Castle is the town's most imposing monument. The start of construction of this castle dates from as early as 1415. The first resident was the steward Heynric Hermans, who was the landlord and represented Duke Jan van Beieren, of Brabant.

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    Woerden Castle

  • Leerdam

    Leerdam and its environs formed one of the easternmost sections of the Old Dutch Water Line. A number of defence works were built in the region, several of which, like the city wall and its square towers, can still be seen today.

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    Leerdam

Follow in the footsteps of the French troops... - Disaster Year Route | 45 KM

Saddle up and cycle in the footsteps of the French troops... In December 1672, General Luxembourg led French troops in an attempt to break through the frozen waterline from their base in the fortified city of Woerden through Zegveld and along the Meije river towards Alphen. Advancing thaw foiled this plan, however, forcing them back. Along the way, French soldiers set fire to Zwammerdam and Bodegraven. The Disaster Year Route follows in the footsteps of the French troops.

Take a walk along the waterline - Discover the treasures of the waterline

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