I had heard about an installation of still existing German bunkers near Ijmuiderslag since we first moved to Holland more than two years ago and I've been wanting to check them out ever since. But for one reason or another, I’ve never made it out…until now.
This complex - and it can only be described as a massive complex - was built by the occupying German forces during WWII to protect the North Sea Canal route into Amsterdam. The gunnery installations also provided an additional layer of protection for a submarine base (also still in existence) in the nearby port of Ijmuiden. From what I understand, the Germans thought that this area of coastline would be a prime landing area for the allies when they would try and retake the continent.
The entire area is open to explore and for the most part you can enter into these surface bunkers. This photo only shows a small portion of the complex. The entire ridgeline is pocked with old gun turrets, machine gun nests, and dark entrances into the three story labyrinth that connects it all together deep underground.
Here is a close-up shot of one of the bunkers. I saw a group of people climbing into this one with a few back-packs of party supplies, a few guitars, and a few happy dogs. Hearing their guitars echoing from the bunker walls reminded me of a scene from the 1960’s.
Here is one of the many unmaintained entrances to the labyrinth below. In some cases, there are sheer 30 ft drops down concrete shafts. It's the kind of scene that would cause an American Personal Injury Lawyer to salivate.
Sage goes for the machine gun nest.
This is the only maintained, and official entrance to the historic site. It is from here that they start the occasional guided tour of the underground.
This complex - and it can only be described as a massive complex - was built by the occupying German forces during WWII to protect the North Sea Canal route into Amsterdam. The gunnery installations also provided an additional layer of protection for a submarine base (also still in existence) in the nearby port of Ijmuiden. From what I understand, the Germans thought that this area of coastline would be a prime landing area for the allies when they would try and retake the continent.
The entire area is open to explore and for the most part you can enter into these surface bunkers. This photo only shows a small portion of the complex. The entire ridgeline is pocked with old gun turrets, machine gun nests, and dark entrances into the three story labyrinth that connects it all together deep underground.
Here is a close-up shot of one of the bunkers. I saw a group of people climbing into this one with a few back-packs of party supplies, a few guitars, and a few happy dogs. Hearing their guitars echoing from the bunker walls reminded me of a scene from the 1960’s.
Here is one of the many unmaintained entrances to the labyrinth below. In some cases, there are sheer 30 ft drops down concrete shafts. It's the kind of scene that would cause an American Personal Injury Lawyer to salivate.
Sage goes for the machine gun nest.
This is the only maintained, and official entrance to the historic site. It is from here that they start the occasional guided tour of the underground.
1 comment:
Hahahahaha, Sage your funny did you see any other dogs up there?
Genie Niederriter
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