Fort in the Netherlands
The Fort near Edam (Dutch: Fort bij Edam) is a Dutch fort that is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam. It lies near the city of Edam. The fort protected the Edam lock [nl], which was used to flood the Zeevang polder [nl]. The fort was finished between 1908 and 1914.[1][2]
History
The Zeevang polder was flooded during the German invasion of the Netherlands.[3]
After the second World War, the fort was used as a prison for women who had ties with German soldiers or members of the National Socialist Movement (NSB). For a short time, it would be used as internment camp for convicted collaborators. In 1948, it was used as an ammunition storage facility by the Dutch Army. In 1951, a shooting range was added, where the police and National Reserve Corps trained, which would later be used by a shooting club.[3]
In 1986, the Dutch Army gave the fort to Staatsbosbeheer. It was barely used, which gave way to unique flora and fauna. It became a protected nature reserve. Since 2005, Staatsbosbeheer leases the fort to a foundation, which has made the fort accessible to the public.[3]
References
