Water as a defense weapon
The New Dutch Waterline was a defense line. Its water was the weapon of defense. If the enemy approached, strips of pasture between Muiden and the Biesbosch could be flooded. This made the country difficult for the enemy to pass. The line served from 1815 to about 1940.
Nowadays the New Dutch Waterline has a new function. It is now a beautiful area in which you can fully experience history. Be surprised!
Theehuis Rhijnwauwen & Fort Rijnauwen
The teahouse is made of wood because it is located more than 300 meters from Fort Rijnauwen, the largest fort of the New Dutch Waterline. With the aid of the Kringenwet, the fields of fire around the forts were kept open as much as possible. This law stipulated that construction within circles around the fort could only take place with the permission of the Ministry of War. In addition, the buildings had to be easily removable in case of war.
In the inner circle, up to 300 meters from the fort, the structure had to be entirely made of wood. In the surrounding middle circle the base could be made of stone and the building could also have a brick hearth and chimney. The latter was of course important for the tea house, which is why it was neatly built in the middle circle.
In the vicinity of the tea house, besides Fort Rhijnauwen, many other buildings of the Waterline can be seen. There are bunkers in the surrounding meadows and the parking lot at the tea house. A tank ditch also runs through the area.
Illustration: Military map from 1936
From the center: Fort near Rijnauwen, Inner circle, Curved Rhine, Middle circle, Theehuis Rhijnauwen, Outer circle