In the run-up to the Dutch Water Week, we put a number of stakeholders in the spotlight. This time Bart Kuilman, director of Pampus Events, takes you along to Fort Island Pampus.
What is the role of Forteiland Pampus in the Dutch Water Week?
“It’s almost too good to be true, but Pampus is right in the middle of the competition area of the Allianz Regatta, in the triangle Amsterdam-Muiden-Lelystad. We have nothing but water around us. That’s how we came into contact with each other and it’s really only logical. Moreover, the Dutch Water Week also coincides with Proef Pampus, a family festival that we have been organizing for a number of years. This is the one place you should definitely visit as a water sports enthusiast during the Dutch Water Week.”
What makes Fort Island Pampus so special?
“Pampus is closely connected to the history of the Netherlands in a lot of ways, but also to the nautical history of our country. In the 17th century, ships were moored here in the shallows of Pampus, and in the 19th century the artificial Fort Island of Pampus became a line of defense to counter attacks from the Zuiderzee. When you’re on Pampus, you see the Netherlands Waterland in front of you. On one side the old land, on the other the new land with Lelystad and Almere.”
What can we do on Pampus?
“It’s a fantastic getaway to an uninhabited island in the middle of the Randstad. You can sail there from Muiden, Almere or Amsterdam. Here you experience freedom and peace and leave the hustle and bustle of daily life behind for a while. But that’s not all. You can visit the 19th century fortress with 80 rooms, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. There is also a museum where you can now visit two multimedia exhibitions, one of which is about the Defence Line of Amsterdam. We take you virtually in a balloon basket so you can fly over the Defence Line and see the areas that were flooded at the time. From above you can best see how it all went down. Guides will give you a tour and you can learn more about life on and the construction of Pampus. Moreover, you can eat and drink here. The island is full of hidden stories. About the construction, the defense or how water and energy were used. Everywhere on the island we tell these stories. You’ll come across these eye-openers as you wander the island. Enough for an inspiring visit to Pampus.”
What exactly is Proef Pampus?
“Basically the same family festival for several years now (May 26-June 6). Children can build huts and boats here in the carpenter’s village, there is music, good food and lots of fun. During the Dutch Water Week there will also be a beautiful grandstand on the roof of the fortress, where you can use binoculars to get a great view of the races. And there’s more, but we’ll keep that as a surprise for now.”
Do you have any tips for visitors?
“When you come here, you are tempted to go into the fortress very quickly of course. You should definitely do that, but don’t forget to take a lap around the grass ring outside as well. You’ll be around in about ten minutes, but then you can also take a look at the special fog bell house and our vegetable gardens.”
