Fort Asperen, Military fort in Lingewaal, Netherlands
Fort Asperen is a military stronghold built on the Linge River dike, featuring a three-story brick tower with walls measuring one and a half meters thick. The structure served as a defensive fortification designed to control river passage and protect the surrounding territory.
The fort was built in 1846 as part of the New Dutch Waterline defense system that used rivers and flooded areas as barriers against invasion. It marks a period when the Dutch engineered water control as a military strategy.
The fort takes its name from the nearby village of Asperen along the river. Its solid brick construction and tower design reflect how the Dutch built military strongholds to control water passages during the 1800s.
The fort welcomes visitors from April through October by way of its original drawbridge entrance. Expect uneven terrain and steep interior stairs, so sturdy footwear is a good idea for exploring the building.
The fort contains an ingenious rainwater collection system where water seeps through the earth layer of the roof and drip tubes into a basement reservoir below. This engineering solution provided fresh water to the garrison more than 170 years ago.
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