Kazemattenmuseum - Kornwerderzand - The Netherlands


Address: Afsluitdijk 5, Kornwerderzand (See map)
Telephone: +31 (0)515-541984 / +31 (0)515-542565
Website: http://www.kazemattenmuseum.nl

Shop: small shop present
Restaurant/refreshments: restaurant
Size of the museum/site: medium
Year of visit: 2001

Overall rating:

Description: Kornwerderzand was built in 1931 as part of the "Vesting Holland", located on the eastside of the Afsluitdijk, between the Waddenzee and the IJsselmeer. This all has to do with its function of preventing the Germans to reach the western part of The Netherlands easily. Nowadays it's know as the "Kazemattenmuseum" (Casematemuseum).

When in May 1940 the Germans attacked The Netherlands the fortification proved to be succesful. The 225 soldiers in their casemates were able to stop the advance of the invading forces. In fact Kornwerderzand was the only fortification where the Dutch held the line. It was because of the capitulation of The Netherlands to the Germans on May 14th 1940 that the soldiers of Kornwerderzand had to stop fighting.

At the time the casemates were very modern. They had three metres thick walls and were self-sufficient with an own power supply. Seven of them can be visited. You get an impression of everyday life as well as of life during wartime in the casemates: the places where the soldiers slept, the kitchen and the original telephone switchboard. It was definitely one of the greatest episodes of the Dutch WW II history.


Guards at the museum entrance.

View from the "Afsluitdijk".

One of the "Kazematten" (fortifications).

Turret of a Sherman Tank dug in to modify the Kazematten during the Cold War (NATO purpose).

Dutch machinegunner.

Machinegun fortification no. V (Mitrailleurkazemat).

Liaison officer of Kornwerderzand.

Equipment and personal belongings of soldier Holkema.

Command fortification (Commandokazemat).

German pillbox built after the capitulation of The Netherlands.