The UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Defence Line of Amsterdam (in Dutch named Stelling van Amsterdam) is a 135 km long ring of fortifications around Amsterdam, consisting of 42 forts located between 10 to 15 kilometers the centre, and lowlands that can easily be flooded in time of war. The flooding was designed to give a depth of about 30 cm, insufficient for boats to traverse. Any buildings within 1 km of the line had to be made of wood, so that they could be burnt and the obstruction removed.
The Stelling van Amsterdam was constructed between 1880 and 1920. The invention of the aeroplane and tank made the forts obsolete almost as soon as they were finished.
Wikipedia.org
Property No #759
Date of Inscription on the list of UNESCO: 1996
I think it was real luck that this postcard reached me, because the sender somehow wrote my country wrong.
Thank you, Mardi (MardiV) !
Received on: January 17, 2013
Travel time: 12 days
Distance: 1472 km (915 miles)
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