Kazemattenmuseum

About the museum

With the construction of the Afsluitdijk from 1921, the Ministry of War wanted to provide additional security for "Fortress Holland" in the north; fortifications and casemates were built at Kornwerderzand for this purpose. Here, in May 1940, the German Blitzkrieg ground to a halt: about 225 Dutch soldiers held off some 13,500 Germans.

The Germans later used the position at first as a guarded passage; from 1943, as the fortunes of war turned, it was fully manned again. After the war the position was briefly abandoned, but from 1952 to 1960 NATO soldiers used the casemates, and the complex still served a military purpose until the mid-1960s. The museum lies west of the lock and was given a renewed, extended visitor centre in 2010/2011.

On some 10,000 square metres, the exhibitions in the casemates, a German bunker and other buildings tell the story of the position from the construction of the dike to the Cold War. These include the deployment of the gunboat "Hr. Ms. Johan Maurits van Nassau", memorials to the fallen and a film with interviews of veterans. The museum is run by the Stichting Kornwerderzand foundation.

Highlights

• Casemates of the Stelling Kornwerderzand and a German bunker as exhibition venues
• History of the fighting in May 1940: 225 defenders against about 13,500 attackers
• Gunboat "Johan Maurits van Nassau" and memorials on the grounds
• Film with veteran interviews and the audio tour "Onverwoestbare verhalen"
• Visitor centre with museum shop and cinema room

Permanent exhibition

• Stelling Kornwerderzand – Exhibitions in casemates, a German bunker and other buildings on the history of the position from the construction of the Afsluitdijk to the Cold War.

Operated by

Stichting Kornwerderzand

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Museumkaart, Veteranenpas, Friends card and volunteer pass of the Museumpas Fryslân; the Nationale Kunst & Cultuur Cadeaukaart is accepted. Tickets are available at the ticket desk or online (same day only until 3 p.m.); online bookings are binding and non-refundable.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The path from the car parks via stairs and bridges, as well as the historic casemates, the bunker and other buildings, are not suitable for wheelchair users or people with walking difficulties; please seek advice by phone beforehand. Dogs on a lead are allowed. Toilets are available at the visitor centre and at the entrance of the southern part (near the locks).

Kids & families

The site covers about 10,000 m² with stairs and bridges of open steel grating; children aged 4 to 12 pay a reduced price. There is a dedicated programme for school classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on the A7 (Afsluitdijk), exit 14A Kornwerderzand, about 4 km from the Frisian coast. Navigation address Afsluitdijk 1c, postal address Afsluitdijk 5. Bicycles and mopeds are parked at Kornwerderzand; work is under way on the Afsluitdijk, and according to the website the bicycle bus runs to a timetable.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

The visitor centre sells small drinks and snacks, books and souvenirs; luggage, helmets and clothing can be left at the ticket desk. A film is shown in the cinema room.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit