Nieuw Fort St. Andries, Military fortress in Maasdriel, Netherlands
Nieuw Fort St. Andries stands between the Maas and Waal rivers in Maasdriel. The structure features thick walls and reinforced sections, with a concrete observation tower added in the middle of the 20th century.
The fort was built in 1812 as a replacement for the original Fort Sint-Andries from 1599. It formed part of the New Dutch Water Line, a defense system that used water as a natural barrier.
The fort is a protected monument that shows Dutch engineering skill from the 1800s. The layout tells the story of when such fortifications were the main way to defend the country.
The renovated observation tower is accessible to visitors and can be climbed. When visiting, keep in mind that the site sits in open countryside and may be slippery when wet.
The fort survives only as a partial ruin after German forces destroyed it in 1945 during their withdrawal. This fragmented state gives visitors a direct glimpse of the damage left behind by the conflict.
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