Fort Island of Pampus
Local name: Forteiland Pampus
Forteiland Pampus, or Pampus Fort, is an artillery battery erected on an artificial island, created on Lake IJmeer. Established in the nineteenth century as an important part of the fortifications, guarding the entrance to the port of Amsterdam. Since 1996, Pampus Fort has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2007, it was partially reconstructed and opened to the public.
Pampus was one of the four forts forming Stelling van Amsterdam (Amsterdam's defense line). Up to 200 soldiers could be stationed there, but the full cast took place only during the First World War. After commissioning in 1895, the fort was composed of four 240 mm Krupp guns installed in pairs in two rotating domes. 280 kg shells fired at a distance of 8 km. In addition, the fort had two 57mm high-speed cannons and four M90 Gardner machine guns.
Pampus never took part in real warfare. During World War II, Germany forced the Netherlands to surrender after five days of fighting.
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