200 kilometres of heritage, a single stream of stories
From Muiden in North Holland to the Biesbosch in Brabant, a unique piece of Dutch heritage winds its way through the landscape: the Dutch Waterlines. Centuries-old forts, locks and castles here tell impressive stories of how water was once the most powerful weapon. Since 2021, the Dutch Waterlines have been officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Netherlands. This special recognition called for a new, contemporary platform. The result is an inspirational platform that brings together the stories of the Waterlines and invites visitors to set off on a journey of discovery.
Water as an ally
The Dutch Water Lines stretch for 200 kilometres. Whichever spot along the lines you visit, you’ll always discover a special piece of history. From forts to locks and from shelters to castles. These sites tell stories about the original function of the Dutch Water Lines: they protected our country against the enemy. The most important ally in this story? Water. By cleverly interconnecting rivers, locks, dykes and canals, the land could be flooded up to knee-height in no time. A tactic that took the enemy completely by surprise – and immediately slowed them down.
UNESCO World Heritage: a protected status
Originally, the Dutch Waterlines consisted of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and the New Dutch Waterline. The Defence Line of Amsterdam was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as early as 1996. In 2021, the New Dutch Waterlines were also granted this status. From that year onwards, ‘the Dutch Waterlines’ have been officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a special, protected status that is not granted lightly: a site must be unique and irreplaceable. And that is precisely what the Dutch Waterlines are. Never before have the landscape and water been used on such a large scale and in such an ingenious way to keep the enemy at bay.
A central hub for stories
Until their UNESCO recognition in 2021, the Defence Line of Amsterdam and the New Dutch Waterline each told their own story across different channels. Now there is a single digital platform, a single online ecosystem, that brings all these voices together. A place where residents can rediscover their own back garden and visitors are immersed in the rich history. With a focus on three lifestyles, that richness becomes even more tangible: for Insight-seekers looking for depth, for Tranquillity-seekers who cherish silence, and for Connection-seekers who enjoy shared experiences.
A digital journey of discovery through time
The new platform invites visitors to wander through time and the landscape. Stories about the past, present and future of the waterlines run like a common thread through the website. An interactive timeline brings the highlights of centuries of military history to life: chronological events that visitors can swipe through at their own pace. Inspiring walking and cycling routes take you past old forts, dykes and winding waterways. And thanks to the link to an external platform, current events are automatically loaded: from a guided tour of a fort to an open-air theatre evening. In this way, the stories of the past find a place in the present.
A rich world heritage on display
With the new inspiration platform, the Dutch Waterlines now have a single central hub where their stories are showcased. A space that does justice to the richness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. One that ensures the stories of this unique heritage continue to be told, so that they are not forgotten.
Also want to put your destination on the map interactively?
Would you also like to raise the profile of your heritage site, region or destination with a single, clear narrative? Please get in touch. We’d be delighted to help you develop a platform that inspires, informs and remains discoverable for years to come.
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