Bomvrij militair object, Lunet I Utrecht

English translation

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Description

Cluster 44. Atomic bunker / Civil Defence shelter with underground passage.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATER LINE

Introduction

ATOMIC BUNKER / CIVIL DEFENCE SHELTER WITH UNDERGROUND PASSAGE on Lunet I, as a shelter for the national headquarters of the Civil Defence organization (Bescherming Bevolking, BB), which was established in 1952 to provide assistance to the population in special circumstances, such as the consequences of acts of war or disasters. Civil Defence also provided public information, among other things regarding possible atomic or bacteriological warfare. The bunker on Lunet I was built in 1955 as the headquarters of the organization, partly on the site of existing facilities and with an underground, bomb-proof connection (underground passage) to the northern flank casemate. The atomic bunker, located centrally on the work, is largely concealed from view by an earth covering. The atomic bunker contained, among other things, a command centre and a telephone exchange from which Civil Defence was coordinated. There were also a diesel generator and living and sleeping quarters that made extended underground residence possible. If necessary, it was even possible to provide for one's own power and air supply with the help of pedal-powered bicycles. The former Civil Defence functions are still recognizable in the current use of the bunker (exhibition Fort of Democracy). On top stands a long antenna mast, which does not date from the operational period and which is guyed from multiple angles. Above ground, two concrete air filters are also visible.

Description

ATOMIC BUNKER / CIVIL DEFENCE SHELTER WITH UNDERGROUND PASSAGE built in 1955 on Lunet I, which served during the Cold War as the national headquarters of the Civil Defence organization (Bescherming Bevolking, BB). The reinforced concrete structure is largely concealed from view by an earth covering; on the southwest side an entrance recessed into the earth slope between sloping retaining walls is recognizable. In the interior are still located, among other things, the former living and sleeping quarters, shower rooms, the telephone exchange, a diesel generator, pedal-powered bicycles and maps. The bunker also includes a curved UNDERGROUND PASSAGE (an underground corridor), which forms a connection with the northern flank casemate. The bunker can be secured—also on the side of the flank casemate—with heavy steel doors.

Valuation

The ATOMIC BUNKER / CIVIL DEFENCE SHELTER WITH UNDERGROUND PASSAGE on Lunet I is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Hollandic Water Line as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially constructed from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and Major-Engineer Willem Offerhaus, and subsequently strengthened and improved by others over approximately 125 years. The Atomic Bunker holds a special position because it is an addition from a period when the line as such possessed little or no military function, but when military threat and anticipation of other calamities played a major role and a Civil Defence command centre was considered of great importance.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic and related civilian construction, which was based on the race with intensifying offensive means and on preparation for non-military calamities from the mid-20th century.

It concerns an important example of a reinforced concrete and earth-covered shelter / refuge for various installations that had to enable extended underground residence and that made it possible to command other Civil Defence installations. The whole dates from the middle of the 1950s of the 20th century.

* Ensemble value and situational values as an element built on an existing component of the New Hollandic Water Line. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex.

* The component is representative (characteristic) because it is clearly recognizable as an addition to the existing fortification system and had a related function. It represents a special rarity value because in physically recognizable form and through the present interior elements it makes the former function and use visible.

* The component is well preserved and can still be well recognized as a built element on the work.