“Verscholen in het landschap” is more than just a phrase. It describes Fort benoorden Spaarndam perfectly. This fort was ingeniously concealed. Earth and sand covered all structures. It made them blend seamlessly into the surroundings. Only the throat of the outbuilding remained uncovered. Here, you can clearly see the fort’s robust architecture.
Fort benoorden Spaarndam is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam. This Defence Line of Amsterdam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was built in 1901. Its position near Spaarndam was crucial. The West Front needed protection. This area between Spaarndam and the North Sea dunes was vulnerable.
The Positie bij Spaarndam was created to block access to Amsterdam. It included Fort benoorden Spaarndam and Fort bezuiden Spaarndam. There was also a defense wall and two batteries. These defended the sluice complexes of Spaarndam. They also protected the Velserdijk and Slaperdijk. The forts prevented the enemy from invading over these dikes.
The fort played a role in both World War I and World War II. It was mobilized in 1914-1918 and again in 1940. A searchlight was installed on the fort in 1918. During the German occupation, additional structures were added.
Building Fort benoorden Spaarndam was a challenge. The peat soil in the West Front is soft. It is also waterlogged. To enable construction, the fort site was reinforced with sand between 1885 and 1887. This prevented the heavy fort from sinking. The sand needed years to settle into a firm foundation. Construction finally began in 1897.
Cement concrete was used to build Fort benoorden Spaarndam. This material was new in the Netherlands then. It could withstand the explosive power of the brisant grenade. This grenade was filled with explosives. The German army had been using it since 1885.
Although Fort benoorden Spaarndam was smaller than planned, it housed 288 men. This made it one of the larger forts in the Defence Line. Originally, the fort had two buildings with revolving cupolas. Cannons were mounted in these cupolas. The cupolas could move up and down for protection.
During World War II, the German occupiers blew up the cupola buildings. They melted the steel from the cupolas into weapons. The Germans also added a concrete ramp and a searchlight. This searchlight illuminated the fort’s surroundings at night. It helped identify enemy aircraft.
From World War I to World War II, various military groups were stationed here. Soldiers created 232 murals. These were found under a layer of lime. The murals include portraits and cartoons. They were made by Dutch and German soldiers.
After World War II, Fort benoorden Spaarndam was closed for almost fifty years. The building deteriorated significantly. A damaged protective layer on the roof caused leaks. Volunteers largely dried out the fort. The leaks were repaired in 2018. The fort is currently neglected and inaccessible. People are now seeking a new purpose for Fort benoorden Spaarndam.