Experience the Battle of Groote Keeten up close. In this exhibition, discover how the 1799 invasion put Den Helder on the map as a strategic stronghold.
Step into the story of the 1799 Invasion. In this exhibition, discover how the Battle of Groote Keeten set the stage for a crucial period in the history of Den Helder.
The exhibition takes you back to the beginning of the British and Russian invasion in 1799. The British army attacked the Batavian Republic via the North Holland coast. This assault revealed not only the vulnerability of Den Helder but also how strategically important its location was.
An impressive film and a meticulously crafted diorama – featuring hundreds of tiny soldier figurines – bring the Battle of Groote Keeten to life. You will witness the movements of the troops, the locations of the confrontations, and the crucial role the landscape played in the battle.
Napoleon and the “Gibraltar of the North”
During his visit in 1811, Napoleon Bonaparte recognized the strategic importance of Den Helder. He decided to establish a naval base there and ordered the construction of Fort Kijkduin. Since then, Den Helder has been known as the “Gibraltar of the North.”