Frisian Waterline

The Frisian waterline^[1][2][3] started being built around 1580. The defence line goes from the Zuidersea, along the River Linde, to the De Blesse Bridge. Then, the defence line goes northward to Kuinre by way of Heerenveen, Terband, Gorredijk, Donkerbroek, Bakkeveen and Frieschepalen.

Frisian Waterline
Netherlands
Zwartendijksterschans (Fort)
Site information
Type	Defensive line
Controlled by	Netherlands
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	In restoration
Site history
Built	started in 1580
In use	16th & 17th century
Materials	Flooded plains, earth wall forts
Battles/wars	Eighty Years' War

Four forts of the Frisian waterline, around 1675.

Linde valley nearby De Blesse

Fort of Frieschepalen

Fort Kuinre

The area along the forts had dams flooded during the Eighty Years' War against the Spanish and in 1672 Rampjaar (Disaster Year) against Bernard von Galen and the French troops who were the bishop of Munster.

In the east, the defence line is connected to the Groninger waterlinie, which continues to Delfzijl.

Part of the defence line is also called the Tjonger-Lindelinie.

The ten schansen were in Schoterland nearby Oudehorne, just north of the River Tjonger, near Oudeschoot, along the road to Wolvega and nearby Terbant.^[4] The defence line is currently under restoration.

The defence line contains thezse forts:

• Sterrenschans (nearby Bakkeveen)^[5]
• Zwartendijksterschans ^[6]
• Breebergschans
• Schans Frieschepalen
• Makkingaasterschans
• Bekhofschans
• Kuinderschans
• Sliekenborgschans
• Blessebergeschans
• Tolbrugschans

See also

Dutch waterlines

• Old / New Dutch Waterline
• Grebbe line
• IJssel Line
• Maas Line
• Peel-Raam Line

Other

• Defence lines of the Netherlands