Kornwerderzand Fortress

Construction of the casemates began in 1931, and by April 1934, the first facilities were ready for occupation. In 1939, the positions at Kornwerderzand were manned by a garrison of 220 Dutch soldiers. When German troops invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940, the defenders successfully repelled an attack on the fortress on May 13, 1940. The Germans subsequently referred to the Afsluitdijk as the "Death Dam." Following the devastating bombing of Rotterdam, the Netherlands capitulated, and the casemates were handed over to the Wehrmacht on May 14, 1940. In 1943, the German occupiers expanded the complex with three additional bunkers. After World War II, the casemates lost their military significance and initially fell into disrepair. Through the dedication of a foundation and volunteer efforts, parts of the fortress complex were restored to their original condition in the late 20th century.

The Kornwerderzand Fortress is located in Kornwerderzand, a locality in the province of Friesland (Fryslân) in Noord-Nederland, Netherlands. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 6 m above sea level.

Today, the fortress can be visited. Visitors have the opportunity to explore six casemates and one of the German bunkers. Accessible areas include the generator casemate, the kitchen casemate XIV, the command casemate IV, the machine gun casemate V, the cannon casemate VI, the searchlight casemate VII, and the German bunker 18.

• Herema Huis (manor house), approx. 12.9 km away
• Martena State (manor house), approx. 18.8 km away
• Epema State (manor house), approx. 20.4 km away
• Osinga State (manor house), approx. 29.0 km away