Dutch Water Lines

From the entrance of Hotel Mitland, you don't see it immediately, but from the rooms at the back and the restaurant, you look out over Fort de Bilt. This fort is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Hollandse Waterlinies. A long line of defense with robust forts, many ingenious waterworks, and a green open landscape. Unique in the world, and thus the Hollandse Waterlinies rightfully stands on the World Heritage list alongside the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

The Hollandse Waterlinies consists of two historical waterlines: the Stelling van Amsterdam and the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. These lines were built in the period from 1815 to 1920 to protect the west of the Netherlands. The system was so cleverly designed that the land from Edam to the Biesbosch could be flooded up to knee height. Too deep for man and horse, too shallow for boats. This way, the enemy was held back. Flooding the land is called inundation.

Mitland in the heart of the Utrecht Forts
Around Utrecht, there are two circles of forts that, together with all the canals, locks, dikes, and inundation basins, are called the 'Utrechtse Stelling'. The inner ring dates from the beginning of the construction (circa 1820). When Utrecht expanded further in the decades that followed and the power of the artillery increased, allowing the enemy to still bombard the city over the forts, a second ring of forts was built around 1870. Another reason why there are relatively many forts around Utrecht is that the land here is higher, making it difficult to flood. Fort de Bilt was built between 1816 and 1818. The official name is 'Het Fort op de Biltstraat'. Due to increasing traffic, the Biltsestraatweg was widened in 1930 and cut through the fort. Since that year, the fort consists of two parts. The southern part is still owned by Defense. The northern part, which you look out on from Mitland, is owned by the municipality of Utrecht.

Discover the Hollandse Waterlinies nearby
Many forts are open to the public and connected via various fun cycling and walking routes. Hop on a bike and discover some gems of the Hollandse Waterlinies near Hotel Mitland:

Waterliniemuseum Fort bij Vechten (20 min. cycling)
Visit this unique place where two UNESCO World Heritage sites come together. Here, the story of the Hollandse Waterlinies and the Lower Germanic Limes (border of the Roman Empire) comes to life, both inside and outside. Readers get a 20% discount on the regular admission price upon presentation of this magazine.
More info: waterliniemuseum.nl

Fort de Gagel (20 min. cycling)
On the 'fort island' of the characteristic restaurant Fort de Gagel, it's delightful to have drinks, lunch, and dinner. The fort is located on the edge of the green Noorderpark Ruigenhoek, which is also suitable for a walk. Mention 'Mitland 100' for coffee with apple crumble from €9.50 for €7.50.
More info: fortdegagel.nl

Botanical Gardens Utrecht University at Fort Hoofddijk (10 min. cycling)
In the Botanical Gardens, there are more than thousands of (special) plant species to be found. Visit the rock garden located on top of Fort Hoofddijk. There is also a terrace and a Garden Shop. Readers of this magazine receive a €1.50 discount on the regular admission price.
Only valid with the purchase of an online ticket. Use the discount code
'Mitland100'; valid for tickets for visits in the period from March 1 to
June 30, 2024. Online ticket purchase is possible from mid-February.
More info: uu.nl/botanischetuinen

Check the website for more information about the forts,
the cycling and walking routes, and the story of the Hollandse Waterlinies.