Historical tour of the Krommeniedijk fortress | Saturdays, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7 and December 5, 2026

What actually happens behind these thick walls along the Lagendijk?

Anyone passing the fortress near Krommeniedijk by bicycle or on foot will first see an imposing building amidst a green landscape. But behind these walls lies a history in which water, defense, and everyday life have been closely intertwined for centuries.

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Landschap Noord-Holland is organizing a historical tour of Fort Krommeniedijk, which is part of the Amsterdam defense line and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A fortress built using water as a weapon

The fort is one of the 46 forts of the Amsterdam defense line. This defensive system used controlled flooding to repel enemies. No high walls or spectacular battles, but a sophisticated interplay of water, landscape, and technology.

During the tour, the guides will explain the function of the fortress, why it was built in this location, and how the soldiers lived and worked here. You will visit various rooms of the fortress and gain an impression of the different eras of its history.

From military fortress to living cultural heritage

What makes this tour special is that the fortress is not only a historical site, but also serves a new purpose. The surrounding peat bog landscape and the fortress itself are now managed as a nature reserve, with a focus on meadow birds, plants, and insects.

This new role is also evident within the fortress itself. In the interactive Fort K'IJK visitor center, a fortress guard and a forester guide visitors through the past and present on an audio tour. This illustrates how the fortress's role once centered on military defense and today focuses on nature and the landscape.

Afterwards, the fortress's tea room, with its view over the open landscape, invites you to linger.

Practical information

• Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026

• Time: 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM

• Starting point: Fort K'IJK, Lagendijk 22, 1911 MT Uitgeest

• Cost: Adults €10.00 | Children €6.75 | North Holland Landscape Conservationists €6.00 | Child Protection Officers €4.00

• Parking: free at the departure point

• Dogs: not allowed

• Accessibility: partially accessible for wheelchair users

• Registration: mandatory via the Landschap Noord-Holland website

• Further information: https://www.landschapnoordholland.nl/activiteiten/excursies/historische-rondleiding-door-het-fort-bij-krommeniedijk-8

Five interesting facts about the fort in Krommeniedijk

1. The fortress was part of a defense system that could literally flood the Netherlands.

   Amsterdam's defensive line used flooding as a weapon. Polders were temporarily flooded to prevent enemy advances.

2. The famous "peep-peep cannon" is now a viewpoint.

   What once served to keep an eye on enemies now offers a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape.

3. The soldiers lived here isolated from the outside world.

   They spent days in the fortress, with fixed daily routines, sleeping quarters, and strict rules. During the guided tour, you will learn what this daily life was like.

4. Part of the fortress now has a completely different function.

   Where military quarters once stood, young adults now live and work in a residential and training center. History that literally lives on.

5. They are not only visiting a fortress, but also a nature reserve.

   The surrounding peat meadows are an important habitat for meadow birds. With a bit of luck, you might spot them during the tour.

This event is part of the Uitgeest events calendar. You can find the full events calendar at https://www.boutiquestay.nl/uitagenda