Frisian Water Line

The building of the Friese Waterlinie  started around 1580. The traject of the defenceline starts at the Zuidersea, along the river Linde until the De Blessebridge. Then the defence line goes to the north to Kuinre along Heerenveen, Terband, Gorredijk, Donkerbroek, Bakkeveen until Frieschepalen.

The area along the forts, dams were flooded during the Eighty Years' War against the Spanish and in 1672 Rampjaar (Disaster year) against Bernard von Galen and the France troops helping the bishop of Munster.

In the east the defence line is connected with the Groninger waterlinie which carries on to Delfzijl.

Part of the Frisian Water Line is also called the Tjonger-Lindelinie.

The ten schansen were situated in Schoterland nearby Oudehorne, just north of the river the Tjonger nearby Oudeschoot along the road to Wolvega and nearby Terbant. Currently the defence line is under restoration.

Forts along the Defence line

 * Sterrenschans (nearby Bakkeveen)
 * Zwartendijksterschans
 * Breebergschans
 * Schans Frieschepalen
 * Makkingaasterschans
 * Bekhofschans
 * Kuinderschans
 * Sliekenborgschans
 * Blessebergeschans
 * Tolbergeschans