Things to do in South Holland

During the Second World War, the historic naval harbour of Hellevoetsluis in South Holland grew into an essential stronghold within the Atlantic Wall, the 5,000-kilometre-long coastal defence system of Nazi Germany.

In 1815, after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, Dutch King William I gave the go-ahead for constructing the New Dutch Waterline. This defence line extended over a distance of 85 kilometres between the Zuiderzee and the Biesbosch.

With a bunker as its foundation and on top of a floodbank, Air Guard Tower 5K3 offered a broad view over the Hollandsch Diep and the Mariapolder beyond. 

In the 1950s, anyone who wanted to cross the Upper Merwede had to rely on a ferry service. This was not very convenient in emergencies.