Get Ready...

for new blog posts coming soon. I know, this is a terrible tease because you've been checking the site daily hoping for more seeds of wisdom from me.

Well, to tide you over until the main event, here's a tidbit that I bet most of you are unaware of:

In the 1600's the Dutch created a system of fortifications and dry channels called the "Water Line". This defensive system was specifically designed to flood a narrow strip of land to the perfect depth to deter both foot crossings and boats. The bottoms of these channels were further reinforced with smaller ditches, obstacles (such as fencing and sharp objects) and (later) mines. When an army invaded, the sluices raised and quickly flooded the grassy landscape, forcing the approaching troops to attempt crossings at heavily fortified bridges.

A Map of the Dutch Water Line

I have no idea where any of these places are, but I'm sure

you can find them on Google Earth.

From Wikipedia

The waterline proved effective during it's first test against Louis IVX of France when he tried to invade the Dutch Republic. However, during the next French invasion in 1794, the cold weather and frost froze the water in the ditches and the troops entered the country. (Here I have to interject that I have become quite suspect of the Anglo-centric nature of our history education. The history of the Netherlands, and how integral that history is to the history of our nation and to Europe as a whole, was utterly neglected in my secondary education. It's fascinating, with a rich and complex system of rule that evolved quite differently than the monarchies in England and France, and I highly recommend you learn more, you unwashed heathens).


The system was modernized in post-Napoleonic Netherlands, and remained in active service through the Franco-Prussian War and WWI. (Isn't it interesting how we "name" wars. I seriously doubt that there were newspapers in the 1800's calling something the "Franco-Prussian War). In WWII, the fortifications were no longer strong enough to withstand modern artillery, but were still utilized as a second line of defence (ultimately, the Germans bombed the Netherlands into submission from the air - but the resistance continued to operate out of some of the historic forts).






A third version of the line was designed to counter a possible Soviet invasion of the Netherlands, erected further to the East. That line was never tested, and the infrastructure was ultimately dismantled in 1963.





However, now comes the REALLY cool (read Landscape Architecture related) part. The modern Dutch, recognizing that the intact elements of the system comprise a valuable cultural and environmental resource, have been using the Water Line to create a linear recreation amenity. Hikers, bicyclists and boaters can travel the various parts of the system - and many forts are open for visitors to explore or even camp in! Awesome! New thing to add to the bucket list: backpack the Dutch Water Line and camp in a 16th century fort.