Fort Bijlmer, Military fortification in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, Netherlands
Fort Bijlmer was a military fortification in Amsterdam-Zuidoost with a moat and earthen ramparts that contained barracks and ammunition storage buildings protecting the southeastern approach to the city. The structure sat near what is now Bijlmer ArenA station and served as part of Amsterdam's defensive strategy.
The fort was built in 1868 as part of the Krayenhoff defensive posts system designed to guard Amsterdam against potential attacks from the Utrecht direction. A year later the structure collapsed due to weak peat soil foundations, which triggered a comprehensive investigation by the Ministry of Defense.
The grounds shaped the development of the Bijlmermeer neighborhood in the 1960s when it was converted into a residential area. This transformation created the diverse community that defines the district today.
The former fortification lies beneath modern structures near Bijlmer ArenA station, with remnants discovered during construction of the ING Bank building. Visitors should explore the area by their own transport as the site itself is not publicly accessible.
The fort collapsed just one year after its completion due to difficult soil conditions in the swampy terrain. This failure became an important learning case in Dutch military engineering and understanding of structural stability.
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