Afsluitdijk
From World travel guide
The Afsluitdijk (dutch Enclosing Dike) is a 32 km long dike connecting North Holland to Friesland.
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Understand
The Afsluitdijk was built in 1930 to close what is now the IJsselmeer from being flooded by the North Sea. The dike was built as part of a plan to reclaim land in the IJsselmeer; this land became the province of Flevoland.
Before the Second World War, the dike was fortified against potential German assault; earning distinction in the 1940 invasion of the Low Countries for being the only fort in the Netherlands to hold out until the Dutch capitulation.
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Get In
Bus 350 from Alkmaar passes over the Afsluitdijk and stops at all the major points of interest. The highway E22/A7 passes over the Afsluitdijk.
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See
- Kasematten Museum - The bunkers defending the entrance to the Afsluitdijk were a vital part of Hollands defence plan during the Second World War. Some of the bunkers have been restored, with period-appropriate weapons, equipment and everyday items giving an overview of the soldiers' life inside the bunkers in 1940.
- Het Monument (The Monument) is a small statue of a dike-builder which has been placed on the spot where the dike was closed in 1932. Next to the monument is a plaque, cafe and a watchtower where (because of all the water) you can see the Wadden islands on a bright day.
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Do
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External Links
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