Author: DITCJ WATER LINE PLANS / HOLLANDSCHE WATERLINIE PLATTEGRONDEN:
Title: Three large nineteentch century coloured lithographed plans of Fortresses.
Description: S.I., s.n., [circa], 1900. Fort No. I; 1: 1000. ((66x51 cm.). Four-folded coloured lithographed plan of Fortress No. I. No further data stated. Fort No. II; 1:1000(70x54 cm.). Four-folded coloured lithographed Plan of Fortress No. II. Fort. No. III; 1:1000. ((46x36 cm.). Centre-folded coloured lithographed plan of Fort No. III. Collection of three original coloured lithographed plans of Fortress Nos. I-III of the Dutch Water Line (Hollandsche Waterlinie. Well preserved. (some minimal tears on folds. skilfully restored). The Dutch Water Line was a series of water based defenses running right across the Western part of Holland, originally conceived by Maurice of Nassau (Stadtholderd of the 7 United dutch Provinces), late 17th century, and realised by by his halfbrother and successor Frederic Henry. Combined with natural bodies of of water it could be used to transform the economic heartland of the Dutch Republic almost into an Island. From 1815-1940 a series of fortresses were constructed on higher levels above the water in order to reinforce the water line. Upon the german nazi attack on Holland in 1940 the system proved to be obsolete due to obvious reasons. Large parts of the line serve now as nature reservates with recreation.

Keywords: waterlinie dutch waterline fortification defence militaria history ecology fortresses lithography culture heritage militaria