Fort Pannerden, Doornenburg, Netherlands

Fort Pannerden was constructed between 1869 and 1871 to serve as part of the New Dutch Waterline. Originally built completely out of brick and mortar, with just one main battery guarding the Rhine, it was upgraded significantly during 1885-1895. The main battery was completely rebuilt, with armour and concrete, while two additional armoured batteries were added and the roof of the fort was reinforced with concrete. The fort had strategic significance in that it guarded the Pannerden Canal, which supplied the water for the inundations of the New Dutch Waterline and could potentially be used as a route towards the main line of defence, but the fort saw little active service.

In World War I the Netherlands remained neutral, although the fort was manned as part of a general mobilisation. In World War II on May 10, 1940, during the German invasion of the Netherlands, the fort was first bypassed and then surrounded. On May 11, cut off from the rest of the Dutch army, the commander of the fort surrendered under threat of artillery bombardment and air attack. Most of the fort was subsequently stripped of all useful materials and after 1945 the building fell into disuse.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Netherlands

User Reviews

x TR (3 years ago)
Amazing and free location. Paid only guided tours. You can spend here easily half a day. Recommending to walk 2 river split.

Tessa Kreunen (3 years ago)
Perfect spot to visit with friends or family. Incredible panoramic views of the riverbanks and nearby cities such as Nijmegen. Despite its strategic placement, the fort has not played any major role over the years. Nevertheless, the fort has a rich cultural history that can be explored via a guided tour or a sort of escape room/quest. The nature area around the fort is home to some amazing wildlife. So don’t be surprised if you suddenly face a cow on your way to the fort.

Monique Hendriks (3 years ago)
Nice place to visit and bike to with kids.

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