Gevangenis, Engelse Kamp 5

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction

CELLULAR PRISON WITH GATE BUILDING, situated on the Verlengde Hereweg, built in 1883 by order of the State according to a design by justice architect J.F. Metzelaar in a very characteristic, eclectic architectural style. Since 1951 the prison building has been in use as a tbs clinic and forms part of the complex of the Dr. S. van Mesdagkliniek. In the nineteen-sixties the old east wing was demolished and internally the voids in the prison wings were filled in. The roof tiles originally rest on Monier plates (cement-bound plates on iron bearers), which were replaced early on by tiled roofs. Despite these alterations the main structure and layout of the complex have been very well preserved and the monumental character of the exterior and the central hall have been maintained.

Description

The former prison building is accessed via an impressive gate building with central access gate on the east side of the Hereweg. The gate building consists of two heavy hexagonal towers, which are provided at the top with heavy crenellations. Between the towers a heavy, double wooden door is placed in the middle under a broad semicircular arch. The door is provided with panel mouldings. The arched passage is screened on both the outside and inside by a fence of wooden latticework. The semicircular arch is accentuated by heavy voussoirs of pitched limestone. The corner towers possess a heavy base of roughly hewn natural stone blocks with diagonal, linear patterns. In the base are placed rectangular iron grille windows. The base is divided horizontally by a slightly projecting continuous under- and top sill edge of likewise natural stone. The base is ended by a continuous profiled limestone string course. The cavity wall of the gate building is constructed of red-brown brick. The shaft section above contains in each wall face narrow vertical window slits with a limestone surround, which suggest gun ports. Above the shaft the uppermost part projects twice to a crenellated finish. The projections are marked by continuous profiled limestone string courses of which the lower string course rests on consoles executed in limestone. The crenellation series are capped with limestone. In the lower projecting part each wall face contains two narrow limestone openings, which likewise suggest gun ports. Above the semicircular arch a limestone foundation stone is affixed, on which the building year 1882-1883 is indicated. On either side of the gate building walls of approximately three metres in height adjoin which form the boundary of the rectangular forecourt for the prison. The walls are likewise provided with crenellation series capped with limestone. On the corners lower, round corner turrets with crenellations are built out towards the exterior. The forecourt leads to the entrance and front building of the prison. This building section is erected on a rectangular ground plan and with its front façade parallel to the building line and the surrounding wall is situated. The building has two storeys under a gabled roof, tiled with renewed pan and is strictly symmetrical in layout. The front façade is five bays wide. The central projection contains the central entrance section under a semicircular arch. The entrance is framed by a limestone surround with blocks and voussoirs. The central projection is built out to a higher erected square, tower-like extension, which is provided with crenellation series. The entrance is placed in a portico and consists of a heavy, worked access door with metal fittings. On the first floor two segmental arch-shaped windows are placed on a continuous limestone sill string course. The windows have six-pane glazing bars and kneeling figures with plastered negative blocks and voussoirs. The attic storey contains two paired narrow windows under semicircular arches. Between and above the two arches a round clock is placed in the middle. The entrance and floor windows are summarized by a monumental semicircular arch of profiled stucco work and plastered voussoir blocks at the top. The gables of the central projection are ended by encircling projecting brickwork on natural stone consoles and crenellation series. Both wings on either side are each two window bays wide and are articulated by broad wall posts. Between these are in the wall plane recessed broad three-part window sections under a semicircular arch running over two storeys are placed. The windows have a wooden glazing bar division; the windows on the ground floor are segmentally arched; those on the floor are closed with a semicircular arch. The gables of the wings are ended by a decorative frieze of coloured brick. The slightly projecting natural stone gutter rests on a series of single and paired, fluted natural stone consoles. The gable tops of the side facades are decorated with stepped ascending brickwork. Internally still of importance the central hall with staircase on columns and worked, wrought-iron railings. Perpendicular to the front building the prison wings of the actual prison adjoin, which are erected on a cross-shaped ground plan. Characteristic is the roof construction of the complex which consists of built-up arches on which iron beams are placed. Originally Monier plates lay on these.

Valuation

CELLULAR PRISON WITH GATE BUILDING, built in 1883 by order of the State according to a design by justice architect J.F. Metzelaar in a characteristic, eclectic architectural style, of general importance from an architectural-historical and urban planning perspective as well as of importance as a functional component of the cellular prison Groningen complex.