Bomvrij militair object, Fort Everdingen Culemborg

English translation

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Description

Cluster 501.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATERLINE

Introduction

REMISE WITH SHELTER AND STORAGE PLACES / BOMB-PROOF BUILDING A1 (north-east bastion) of a type that is covered with earth on three sides and on top. With the increase in the range of artillery, the force of projectile impacts and the explosive power of (brisant) grenades, it became increasingly difficult to resist bombardments. Reinforcement of brickwork, application of shock-absorbing masonry systems (including by means of arches), gentle slope angles and curved or pointed shapes, use of concrete and later reinforced concrete in increasingly heavy execution, was one of the ways to keep the fortifications resistant to increasing attack power. Moreover, the application of earth coverings proved to be an effective means to absorb or dampen the energy. This is the reason why many mortared or concrete works are provided with an earth layer or a front protection of sand or earth. Depending on the period of origin—and thus the expected impact force of projectiles—one spoke of 'bomb-proof buildings' when they were considered capable of withstanding a predetermined number of impacts from heavy calibre.

Description

Three-storey REMISE WITH SHELTER AND STORAGE PLACES / BOMB-PROOF BUILDING A1 on the north-east bastion of Fort Everdingen, characterized by a brick facade on the west side divided into two sections, which recedes considerably on the upper storey. The upper storey has its own entrances, which are accessible via access that runs over the roof of the ground floor. The mezzanine has no facade. The building, realized around 1880, is covered by a layer of earth, which conceals all sides except the brick facades from view. The earth layer was applied as protection against projectile impacts. Both single-storey facades are quite high and have a sober and functional architecture. At the ends, the lower facade is partly hidden behind the sloping earth application; the upper facade is bevelled on both sides, also in connection with the earth application. The facade openings—entrances and window openings—are arched and feature mainly iron closures. At the bottom there are several entrances and window openings; in the upper part these are three original entrances and one incorporated in a later addition.

The interior was not visited.

Valuation

The three-storey REMISE WITH SHELTER AND STORAGE PLACES / BOMB-PROOF BUILDING A1 of Fort Everdingen is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Hollandic Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realized 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 design, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century), b. the race with increasingly powerful offensive means (19th century).

This concerns a component of circa 1880, namely an example of a brick, earth-covered, bomb-proof building.

* 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.

* The component is representative (characteristic) because in its appearance it exhibits the characteristics that underline the defensive purpose of the time.

* The component is well preserved because it has undergone few significant modifications over time and has retained its original structure.