The Fort Aan De Winkel is a part of the defence works which were constructed between 1890 and 1920. The fort was one of several which were designed to defend important locations within the Netherlands. The forts were able to hold several hundred soldiers each, as well as serve as a place for important officials to seek sanctuary in times of war. The defence line fell out of use not long after being built, as the face of modern warfare changed and high-explosives and artillery came in to common usage.