Kazemat, Lunet II Utrecht

English translation

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Description

Cluster 45. Flank casemates / Bomb-proof buildings.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATER LINE

Introduction

TWO FLANK CASEMATES / BOMB-PROOF BUILDINGS, respectively on the northwest side and the southwest side of Lunet II, as masonry and partly earth-covered shelters for accommodation, storage and close defence. The casemates form part of the brick wall enclosure of the work on the outside, but are built up higher. Casemates are enclosed, bomb-proof spaces, usually constructed in stone or concrete, that are fitted for the operational placement of artillery and/or other firearms. Casemates are therefore provided with one or more, whether or not closeable and/or covered loopholes. Casemates can be independent defensive works, but they can also form part of a larger work, such as a fort. Flank casemates are usually part of the flanks of defensive works and they serve in particular for providing flanking fire along a line. The bomb-proof buildings of the lunettes at Utrecht have their greatest length parallel with part of the gorge and are there—on the gorge side of the work and thus not in the flank—provided with loopholes.

Description

TWO FLANK CASEMATES / BOMB-PROOF BUILDINGS (1823; inscription above entrance), respectively on the northwest side and the southwest side of Lunet II and diagonally positioned in the ground plan. The casemates / bomb-proof buildings are positioned as mirror images of each other and thus form each other's counterparts. The casemates can easily be recognized from the outside of the work by a series of vertical loopholes in the facade on the gorge side. Their greatest length lies parallel with the gorge side of the work. The sharp angles of the masonry slope slightly backwards and are provided with natural stone blocks. The entrances are located on the short sides facing the centre of the work and are provided with arched openings and contain double wooden doors; on the left and right a facade opening with iron bars. The interiors consist of several heavy masonry compartments connected to each other and separated by wooden doors; the spaces open onto the slot-shaped loopholes. Various interior components or remains and traces of them are still present.

Valuation

The TWO FLANK CASEMATES / BOMB-PROOF BUILDINGS on Lunet II are 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 realized from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and Major-Engineer Willem Offerhaus, and subsequently strengthened and improved by others over approximately 125 years.

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

These are components from around 1823 as examples of earth-covered, bomb-proof corner elements built on the brick cladding of lunet II for accommodation, storage and defence.

* Ensemble value and situational values as components of the New Hollandic Water Line. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex and as counterparts of each other.

* The components are representative (characteristic) because they display in appearance the characteristics that emphasize the defensive purpose of the time.

* The components are well preserved because they still exist virtually in the condition they were in around 1825, while they retain various authentic components and details.