Wachtgebouw, Verlengde Fortlaan 116

English translation

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Description

Cluster 9. Bombproof Guardhouse B.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATERLINE

Introduction

BOMBPROOF GUARDHOUSE B as an earth-covered structure on the eastern side of the batteries / lunettes along the Karnemelksloot to the southwest of Naarden. Naarden lies on the high grounds between the Naardermeer and the Zuiderzee, which formed an access to Amsterdam and was one of the most important fortified cities of the Old Hollandic Waterline. The waterline was primarily based on inundation of low-lying grounds in order to prevent the enemy from passing through. However, Naarden lay on the high ridges of the Gooi, which made the inundations difficult. It was decided to excavate the high grounds. The works on the Karnemelksloot are part of the attempts to hold water around the fortress of Naarden. In 1787 a dam sluice was constructed in the Karnemelksloot to hold the inundation water. For the protection of the dam sluice, two small embanked earth lunettes were also constructed in 1787 on either side of the Karnemelksloot. Besides serving for the defence of the sluice, they also served to prevent the enemy from passing Naarden on the south side. These lunettes were partly demolished during the French period, but at the time of the New Hollandic Waterline, around 1873-1875, they were enlarged and provided with bombproof structures. The fort-keeper's dwelling Naardermeer 7 must also date from this period. The fortifications of the New Hollandic Waterline soon proved to be outdated. As a result of improvements in artillery, effective targets could be reached from increasingly greater distances. On the east and south sides of Naarden, therefore, a defence line of several kilometres in length was established during the mobilisation period 1914-1919, of which various works remain around the Karnemelksloot. The shelters with ammunition magazines on the works were demolished during this period. In 1939-1940 a tank barrier was also constructed on the dike. The works have been the property of the municipality of Naarden since 1929. Currently they are in use by scouting groups. The original bridges to the batteries have disappeared. The guardhouses A and B on the batteries / lunettes were built in 1873-1875 and were regarded by the standards of the time as bombproof. With the introduction of the explosive shell from 1885 onwards, bombproof conditions no longer existed and buildings of this type could be regarded as outdated.

Description

BOMBPROOF GUARDHOUSE B from 1873-1875, centrally located on the eastern battery of the Karnemelksloot. The brick structure has thick walls and is entirely earth-covered to guarantee bombproofness, except for the exposed front facade, which is oriented to the northwest. The front facade is provided with three small windows flanked by recessed small doors with shutters. These provide access to spaces covered with segmental arch vaults, of nearly equal dimensions. (One excepted, which is twice as large and contained the officers' quarters). At the end of the facade the latrines, provided with small clamped doors. All doors and windows are arched. Additional relieving arches have been placed in the front facade. Buildings B and A (Building A lies on the western battery) are of approximately equal size and layout, except for the location of the former officers' quarters.

Valuation

The BOMBPROOF GUARDHOUSE B from 1873-1875 is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Hollandic Waterline as it was designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realised from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and Major-Engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently strengthened and improved by others for approximately 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values in particular as an expression of military-strategic building, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century), b. the race with increasingly strengthening offensive means (19th century)

The component is an example of a bombproof structure from shortly before the introduction of the explosive shell.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Hollandic Waterline. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex and as a counterpart to bombproof building A on the west battery.

* The component is representative as an example of a bombproof guardhouse from the New Hollandic Waterline as these have also been built elsewhere according to a uniform pattern with the application of comparable building materials, layout and detailing.

* The component is well preserved because the guardhouse has not or hardly been altered compared to the situation from the time of construction.