Atlantic Wall

Den Helder is strategically located by the sea, with homes directly behind the dike. It was precisely this location that made the nautical and maritime city an important military target during the Second World War.

The city became part of the Atlantic Wall and was granted the status of a restricted area. A total of 88 heavy bunkers were built in and around Den Helder, a number of which can still be found today.

That is precisely why a visit to the Atlantikwall Centre is more than worthwhile. There, you will discover how deeply the war impacted the landscape and daily life. Moreover, the Germans left clear traces on and around the dike, such as coastal barriers, barbed wire, bunkers, machine-gun emplacements, and radar stations. It subsequently took years of hard work to clear away all these remnants and make the beach, dune paths, and dike accessible to everyone again.