The Fort near Vechten was built in 1870 as part of the second circle of forts around Utrecht. The fort has as many as 16 bombproof ground-covered buildings containing 16 million bricks. The large reduit building with its neo-Gothic cast-iron staircase functioned as the last refuge. In 1881, the fort was improved with the addition of a bombproof barracks. The fort's artillery sealed off the Houtense Vlakte and the Arnhem-Utrecht railway line. During the 1914-1918 mobilisation, trenches and reinforced concrete shelters were installed. In 1939-1940, three cast-steel machine gun casemates were built on the fort's front wall.
Waterliniemuseum
The Waterliniemuseum has interactive exhibits...
The Fort near Vechten was built in 1870 as part of the second circle of forts around Utrecht. The fort has as many as 16 bombproof ground-covered buildings containing 16 million bricks. The large reduit building with its neo-Gothic cast-iron staircase functioned as the last refuge. In 1881, the fort was improved with the addition of a bombproof barracks. The fort's artillery sealed off the Houtense Vlakte and the Arnhem-Utrecht railway line. During the 1914-1918 mobilisation, trenches and reinforced concrete shelters were installed. In 1939-1940, three cast-steel machine gun casemates were built on the fort's front wall.
Waterliniemuseum
The Waterliniemuseum has interactive exhibitions on the Waterlinies, the Romans and nature on the forts, where you will learn all about the history of the largest defence line in the Netherlands. The 50-metre-long open-air model of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie can be flooded just like the real waterlinie, and in a virtual waterlinie flight you can glide over the entire line yourself.
The museum café is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm for coffee, tea, soft drinks and pastries.
A VVV information point is located in the reception of Fort Vechten. An information kiosk contains all tourist/recreational information about the Kromme Rijnstreek. Walking/cycling routes and maps are also available, as well as leaflets from recreational entrepreneurs in the area.
Powerhouses in nature
Staatsbosbeheer has an info point in the Waterliniemuseum: Powerhouses. Here you can take on the natural powerhouses at the fort. A 1.2-kilometre walking route also starts there, with fun assignments for children.
Discover the Bunkerpad with the app
Under the smoke of Utrecht, the Bunkerpad connects Fort near Vechten and Fort near Rijnauwen. With the Bunkerpad app, the walk takes on a new dimension. It takes you right through the meadows and past the bunkers. The app brings the landscape, cultural heritage and the stories about it to life in a playful way. A 'Crack the Code' quiz is part of the app. Fun for the whole family.
- Download the app from the Abellife app in the Apple and Google appstores.
- In the app, choose 'My routes' and click on 'All routes'.
- Choose 'Bunnik - Discover the Bunkerpad', click 'View Bundle' and download the route.
Klompenpad Kids
At Fort Vechten, the Slagmaatpad, the first Klompenpad Kids, starts. The Slagmaatpad is about 7 km long and leads through the beautiful outskirts of Bunnik and Houten. The route has several shorter loops, so the route can also be made shorter. There is plenty to discover, learn and play along the way. There are also exciting shortcuts in the meadows with fun crossings. The route runs across Fort near Vechten, past farm Nieuw Slagmaat and through play forest Nieuw Wulven. More information: https://klompenpaden.nl/klompenpad/slagmaatpad/