Top Historic Sights in Houten, Netherlands

Explore the historic highlights of Houten

Fort Hemeltje

Fort het Hemeltje was built between 1877-1881 as part of the so-called Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie(The 'New Dutch Water Line') to defend the cities of the western Netherlands from overland attack.

Founded: 1877-1881 | Location: Houten, Netherlands

Schonauwen Castle was established in 1261 and demolished in 1812. The oldest plan is known from 1646, when it was a square form moated building enclosed from the three sides. Today only a tower has survived.

Founded: 1261 | Location: Houten, Netherlands

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Medieval Walls of Avila

The city walls of Avila were built in the 11th century to protect the citizens from the Moors. They have been well maintained throughout the centuries and are now a major tourist attraction as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can walk around about half of the length of the walls.

The layout of the city is an even quadrilateral with a perimeter of 2,516 m. Its walls, which consist in part of stones already used in earlier constructions, have an average thickness of 3 m. Access to the city is afforded by nine gates of different periods; twin 20 m high towers, linked by a semi-circular arch, flank the oldest ones, Puerta de San Vicente and Puerta del Alcázar.