Fort Hoofddijk

Utrecht, Netherlands

Fort Hoofddijk was built in 1879 as one of the fortifications around Utrecht that formed part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, or 'New Dutch waterline'. This defense line made use of inundating parts of Holland to stop the advance of the enemy, but because Utrecht was on relatively high ground, it needed an additional ring of fortifications.

Today the Botanical Gardens of Utrecht University are located at the fortress site. It’s a beautiful place for a long walk along rare species of plants and flowers.

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