Open verdedigingswerk, Fort Ruigenhoek Groenekan (De Bilt 26)

English translation

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Description

Cluster 31. Bridge.

NEW HOLLAND WATER LINE

Introduction

BRIDGE over the moat of Fort Ruigenhoek, serving as access to the fort complex. The bridge lies in line with the St.-Anthoniedijk / Kanonsdijk, on the throat side of the fort. The raising or removal / destruction of bridges has since antiquity been an effective means of warding off intruders. Not only did this impede or delay passage or crossing over a watercourse, a dry or wet moat or a terrain depression, but an attacker also had to provide their own means to possibly overcome the barrier. Wooden bridges were relatively quick to destroy, if necessary by setting them on fire. Stone and concrete bridges required a larger and more time-consuming intervention, although an explosive charge could sometimes quickly achieve the desired effect. With the advent of iron bridges - applied on a large scale in many variants in the course of the 19th century - the second option remained possible, but the first disappeared. Blowing up bridges was capital destruction and only happened in the utmost necessity. One way in which iron bridges could be closed was by removing or making inaccessible (small) parts of them. This was also the case with the access bridge to Fort Ruigenhoek, which is composed of two fixed sections at both abutments and a removable section between them. The bridge was later modified and reinforced - possibly in connection with the strengthening of the fort through the construction of concrete works, but possibly also only after the Second World War - yet it still comprises the authentic piers and abutments.

Description

BRIDGE, which provides access to Fort Ruigenhoek and thus forms the connection between the work and the Kanonsweg, the diversion road (Ruigenhoekse Dijk) and the further maintenance path running along the banks of the moat. The now fixed, iron bridge formed part of the original construction of the fort and dates - insofar as not later modified - to around 1870. The approximately 17 m long and 4 m wide bridge is nowadays provided with fixed beams with wooden sections upon them and is accompanied by railings composed of tubes. Approximately halfway along, a - presumably built at the same time - welded iron grille for closure. The bridge rests on a pair of mortared and partly natural stone abutments and two similar piers, all from the construction period.

Valuation

The BRIDGE of Fort Ruigenhoek is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Holland 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 for approximately 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic building design, which was based on and emerged as a consequence of - the system of inundation and access defence (19th century) and - the arms race with increasingly strengthened offensive means (19th century).

This concerns a component from around 1870 - presumably modified shortly before or in the middle of the 20th century - namely an expression of historical water engineering related to military-strategic building design, in the form of a fixed bank connection for military purposes.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Holland Water Line. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the (construction of the small concrete and) other components of the complex.

* The component is representative (characteristic) because it is an example of the application of this type of bridge in a military situation.

* The component is reasonably well preserved because, although it has been thoroughly modified structurally, essential elements have been maintained and reused, while the later modifications can be a reminder of the adapted use of the fort.