Bijgebouwen, Fort Giessen Giessen (Altena 30)

English translation

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Description

Cluster 79.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATERLINE

Introduction

ARTILLERY SHED (D) as a non-bombproof component of Fort Giessen. In various places within and outside fort grounds over the course of decades wooden, stone and metal ('tin') sheds were constructed to serve as (provisional or permanent) storage space, storage, accommodation for people or matériel, hospital, fire brigade, horse stable, guard house, etc. A large part of these sheds has meanwhile perished, been demolished or relocated, but others still exist in situ. Sometimes these are simple structures of small size, but there are also more complex and larger examples. A wooden artillery shed built along the access road on the throat side of Fort Giessen is still present on site.

Description

Darkly painted, wooden ARTILLERY SHED (D) to the northwest of the fort on the southwest side of and approximately halfway along the access road of Fort Giessen. The shed, located on the throat side of the fort, parallel to the road, was probably built around 1880. The shed measures approximately 35 x 10 metres and is one of the largest still existing examples. The shed is covered by a gabled roof with generous overhang, laid with damped, hollow tiles. The building has decoratively sawn, white painted wooden weathervanes. The facades are constructed from rabbet boards. Both long facades are asymmetrically provided with windows, in which (casement) windows with fine glazing bars (4 x 2) and entrances. The gable facades also contain entrances, which are provided with double (clamped) lath doors with sturdy iron hinges. At attic level only smaller doors are executed. The interior was not visited.

Valuation

The ARTILLERY SHED (D) of Fort Giessen is of general interest because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Hollandic Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially from 1815 realised by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and thereafter by others over approximately 125 years reinforced and improved.

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

This concerns a component from the period 1871-1886, namely a wooden shed from around 1880.

* 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 because it is an example of an authentic wooden shed arranged in the immediate vicinity of a defensive work and it represents rarity value through size, intactness and detailing.

* The component is fairly well preserved because the main form and structural detailing as well as various components have remained intact.