Fish Tank
A North Sea aquarium has been located in Fort Kijkduin in Huisduinen since 1996 and has been open to the public 363 days a year since then.
The Fort Kijkduin aquarium was the first in the Netherlands to have a ‘walk-through tunnel’; a 12-meter-long tunnel where visitors could walk under water and you can actually immerse yourself under water. From the opening, the theme of the aquarium has been fully focused on life in the North Sea. Because several small aquariums have been set up in the two naves in the fort, a good picture is created of, for example, the tide, the life of an eel and the protective colors of rays. The impressive skeleton of Chris de Potvis has also recently been restored to its place.
A special location
The fort is located in a special place, the extreme northwestern tip of the mainland, right by the sea and the beach. Here is ‘pole 0’, the place where the North Sea flows into the Wadden Sea.
That is why not only the North Sea is discussed, but also fish migration to the Wadden Sea is discussed. The species kept in the aquarium are found in both areas.
A visit to the aquarium is an exciting and educational adventure where you can not only see, touch, but also feed the fish! (while supplies last)
The history of the fort, its inhabitants and the environment are central to the museum. Get a taste of the Fort Kijkduin museum here!
Beech 3. The canteen
Within the fort, the ‘cantine’ was the center of entertainment and fun…. Many a strong story was and still is told… only under different circumstances.
Beech 4. The armory
Over the centuries the weaponry has gotten bigger and better. We show a large number of examples of this in our armory.
Beech 5a. Archaeological finds and remains
You learn history from various things. Sometimes you only learn the past from books, paintings or stories, sometimes also from things you find in the ground or maybe even buy at a flea market. Complete utensils or other items, as well as chunks or loose parts, that can tell you how people thought and acted in the past. And sometimes it turns out that not much has changed or we have reinvented the wheel not so long ago.
Beech 5b. The construction site
Much has changed at Fort Kijkduin over the years. The second phase of restoration has been completed and the end result is there with a special fort with architectural styles from a 200-year period.
Beech 5c. The beginning and how it went on …
Fort Kijkduin has been used by various military units under varying circumstances. French sailors in the beginning and the gunners of the Coast Artillery around 1900. Those military units brought their own weaponry and utensils with them. Much has also been renovated and adapted. This was not always done safely, but with an ultimate goal: to defend the shipyard and port of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Beech 6. We are not participating
For years that has been the slogan of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. That is what we call “we are neutral”. But that is not without a struggle and you have to have your defense in order, because the enemy, whoever that may be. is always lurking and still wants to surprise you secretly. And then there is still the boredom ..
Beech 7. You are just an evacuee
The Second World War was an unpleasant time for Den Helder. The vast majority of the residents were forced to leave and were thus evacuated. After that, all kinds of things happened in Den Helder that we don’t like to be reminded of. On their return, they found an empty city, largely ruined and without an occupier, because it had just been deported.
Beech 8. Then it was over
Joy at the end of the war, but that also meant the end of Fort Kijkduin as a military object. On the one hand in Den Helder construction (reconstruction) and on the other side on the fortress decline.
