Fort Bakkerskil and the Papsluis lock

Work on the Bakkerskil

After Papsluis was built in 1815, it was clear that it had to be guarded and defended. But before that defense was actually there, there were mostly many plans that were never carried out. There were plans for an artillery battery in 1816, a casemated dike post in 1825 and a fort in 1832. A field battery on the Bakkerskil was finally built in 1846, but the current Fort Bakkerskil dates only to 1879.

Fort Bakkerskil, or the Work on the Bakkerskil, is a small fort. It consists of only one two-story building. Consequently, it soon proved too small, as early as 1880 a wooden shed was added for artillery storage.

Experience Fort Bakkerskil!

Fort Bakkerskil has served as Special Heritage Lodging since 2012 . Bed & Breakfast Fort Bakkerskil provides visitors to the Biesbosch Line with a fresh and comfortable bed in one of the fort's historic rooms.

In the summer months, you can also visit the terrace for lunch, ice cream or drinks. The terrace is open at least all weekends from May-October. In June and September about 5 days a week, and 7 days a week in July and August. Want to be sure? Just give us a call!

Hiking

Explore the fort and surrounding area with the walking tour Around Fort Bakkerskil

Bikes

The 70 km Fort Tour takes you past Fort Bakkerskil and the other forts in the Biesbosch Line.

Practical information

For opening hours and reservations, please refer to the website of Fort Bakkerskil.

Address:

Kildijk 143, Nieuwendijk
Tel: 06 45 93 48 92
info@fortbakkerskil.nl

Fort Bakkerskil during the World Wars

World War I

Although the Netherlands mobilized, it remained neutral during World War I. Fort Bakkerskil was manned, but there was no fighting. The soldiers did help the Werkendam fire department when a large fire broke out at two farms on the night of September 26-27, 1914. They helped put out the fire and prevented other houses from being destroyed by the fire as well. The only shot fired in those years was a shotgun blast during an argument between soldiers.

World War II

Fort Bakkerskil experienced the most activity in 1940 compared to the other waterline forts in Brabant. The region stayed out of the fighting, but the land was inundated by the opening of the Papsluis sluice.

During the war, the fort was occupied for a time by Germans. Upon their retreat in 1945, they rendered the fort unusable. The windows and doors were bricked up, the earthen walls disabled.

After World War II

After World War II, Fort Bakkerskil served as an internment camp for NSB members and other Dutchmen who were considered "wrong" because of their actions during the war. This was a black page in the fort's history. Women were cut bald, "heulers" were handcuffed and beaten, and prisoner viewing became a popular Sunday afternoon outing. In addition, the food was poor, and goods intended for prisoners such as clothing often did not reach them. On Sept. 28, 1946, the function as a camp was abolished and these practices came to an end.

Military Support Point, fortification of no class

From 1947, Fort Bakkerskil had a function as a military support center. It served as ammunition storage and training grounds for the Corps of Engineers. Even when the New Dutch Waterline was disbanded in 1951, the "fortification of no class" remained military terrain. There were guard dogs running and it was clear that ordinary civilians were not welcome there. In the 1980s, the building was modernized and used as a training center for agents of Intelligence and Operations, a secret stay-behind organization.

Bed & Breakfast

Since 2007, the Fort has been owned by Brabants Landschap. After a long procedure for permits, the restoration of ramparts and an extensive restoration, Fort Bakkerskil has been serving as Erfgoed Logies: a Bed & Breakfast since 2012. In the National Monument, you can now spend the night in the old kitchen, officers' quarters, infirmary or powder room.

The Papsluis, an inundation sluice in the New Dutch Waterline

Near the North Brabant town of Werkendam, you will find the southernmost inundation sluice of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, the 1815 Papsluis.

A Water Line is a defensive structure that uses water. To protect an area, a strip of land several kilometers wide is flooded: inundated. This can be done by simply breaching dikes, but the depth of the water is better controlled with inundation sluices. That depth listens closely: knee-deep - about 50-60 cm - is ideal. That's too deep to wade safely and effectively through with horses or heavy artillery, but too shallow to sail through.
The Papsluis is such an inundation sluice. A special one too, it is a fan lock. A fan lock can be opened both with the current and against the current. The Papsluis controlled the inundation of the Uppel Polder. It was therefore a strategically important location in the Water Line.

The Papsluis, HenkvD, CC BY-SA 3.0 EN, via Wikimedia Commons