Since the early 1990s the Netherlands has been actively involved in the 1972 World Heritage Convention. The Dutch Tentative List centres on four topics: The Netherlands – Land of Water, the Republic in the 17th century, the Modern Movement, and Archaeology. There are now six World Heritage sites in the Netherlands and one in the Netherlands Antilles.

Schokland and Surroundings’

As an archaeological monument, the World Heritage site ‘Schokland and Surroundings’ symbolises the never-ending struggle between man and the sea. Schokland was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1995. It comprises nine listed buildings, of which five are archaeological sites and one is a combined archaeological and structural monument. The structural monuments include a lighthouse-keeper's house and a church. Some hundreds of archaeological terps (dwelling mounds), dyke systems and other relics have also been found. Schokland was incorporated

The Defence Line of Amsterdam

The Defence Line of Amsterdam is a former defence line around the city of Amsterdam that is 135 kilometres long and has 42 forts. In addition to the forts, the Defence Line of Amsterdam also comprises defence line dykes, military depots, sluices and arsenals. The Defence Line was built between 1880 and 1914 at a distance of 15 to 20 kilometres from Amsterdam, to keep the capital city out of range of enemy fire. The area outside the Defence Line could be flooded in times of danger (inundation). The Defence Line of Amsterdam served as a ’National Escape’, a last retreat for the government and army if another important defence line, the New Dutch Inundation Line, were breached. Although the Defence Line’s purpose as a defensive work belongs to the past, many sections of it are very well preserved. This website tells something about the historical background and present significance of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.

Kinderdijk-Elshout

The mill network at Kinderdijk-Elshout consists of 19 monumental mills and a historical infrastructure for the drainage of the Alblasserwaard. The hydraulic infrastructure comprises watercourses, high and low storage basins, and dykes. The area also includes historical pumping stations. In 1997, UNESCO placed the mill area on the World Heritage List because of its unique character. The area still plays a significant role in controlling the water in the Alblasserwaard. Modern pumping stations have taken over from the mills.

The D.F. Woudagemaal

The D.F. Woudagemaal, which was put into operation in 1920, is the largest steam-driven pumping station still operating in the world today. It was built to drain off surplus water in the Friesland Boezem (reservoir or polder drainage pool). Originally coal-fired, it was converted to oil in 1967. It is now used as an auxiliary pumping station. The pumping station is named after its chief designer Dirk Frederik Wouda (1880-1961). From an architectural and technical point of view the pumping station is a well-maintained monument dating from the later period of the steam age. The architecture of the brick building is functional.

Willemstad

Willemstad is on the former Dutch island of Curaçao. The island's geographical location is relatively close to the Venezuelan coast of South America. Willemstad was founded in the beginning of the 17th century by merchants from Amsterdam as a trading post and slave trading centre. The city comprises several quarters, most of them grouped around a wide, natural harbour.

The multicoloured historical buildings and the noticeable Dutch influences in the town's planning and architecture are characteristic of Willemstad.

The Beemster Polder

The Beemster Polder was created in the early 17th century. Investment of capital in land, the need for agricultural land and country houses, and the will to succeed in the fight against the sea were the main reasons at the time to drain Beemster Lake. The new land, whose soil consisted of firm clay, was divided into a strict geometrical pattern of perfect squares. Today, its population works and lives there at around 3.5 metres below NAP (Normal Amsterdam Level). The landscape is characterised by straight roads lined with trees, sturdy cheese-cover farmhouses and a few historical towns.

The Rietveld Schröder House
The Rietveld Schröder House (in Utrecht) is characterised by straight lines and planes and by the colours red, yellow and blue, which combined with black lines and planes of grey and white form harmonious colour compositions. Rietveld (1888-1964) built this unique home in 1924 for and together with Mrs Schröder-Schräder, who lived there for the rest of her life. It is the only building to be executed in accordance with the architectural principles of the ‘De Stijl’ movement. Not only the architecture, but also the interior and the furniture are designed in this style and colour scheme.

Find more info:

http://www.visitholland.nl/Geography/Famous-Unesco-Cultural-Heritage-in-The-Netherlands.html