Europa Nostra and EIB Institute issue report on the preservation of the Crèvecoeur Fortress in Den Bosch, The Netherlands
Experts from Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute issued today a technical report on the preservation of the Crèvecoeur Fortress in Den Bosch, The Netherlands. The fortress, which played an important role in Dutch military and diplomatic history for more than 300 years, was listed among the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2022, following a nomination made by Bond Heemschut – The Dutch Association for Heritage Protection.
Summary of the Report
The Crèvecoeur Fortress has a distinguished history in the early establishment of the Dutch Republic and has seen numerous visits from the French over the years. In its apogee, in the mid-18th century, it was a great example of a moated fortress but has since fallen into serious decay with few of the features of this past glory now visible. It remains under the ownership and control of the Royal Netherlands Army (the Army), which uses it for training exercises with limited access to the public. It is situated in an important riverside nature zone.
In view of its importance in Dutch history and its heritage interest, it has been designated a National Monument. As first steps the Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) and local groups have persevered in efforts to protect the remains of the fortress and provide open access to the site. A strategic study has been undertaken by the Government giving long term options on the future of the site, notably on its potential environmental contribution. Numerous Government Ministries and Agencies are involved in the development of the site with various and maybe some conflicting interests which are still not resolved.
The present initiative is to protect seven structures comprising gunpowder magazines, casemates and remnants of the waterway. This programme still needs to be developed in detail with a pilot project being proposed initially. The presence of a rare species of bat in some buildings complicates matters as views differ on the best action to take. These studies and works will be undertaken under the responsibility and funding of the Army. A preliminary cost estimate for these works is €2 million. The programme expects, if permits are given appropriately, that the pilot phase could be completed by mid-2025 and the remaining works by 2027. There is thus some uncertainty on the costs, budget and programme which could impact on timely and successful completion.
The Municipality of Den Bosch intends to set up a Working Group to monitor progress and act as a focal and coordination point for the project, which is a key ingredient for success. Since 2010 the Municipality has had a cooperation agreement with the Army, which has been inactive until now but hopefully this can facilitate the planned progress and beyond.
Progress is now expected to be made in protecting some of the vestiges of the fortress. This initial programme is drawn out, with pilot works in 2025, and it needs to be more formally agreed and then closely monitored to ensure it continues to completion.
Discussions should be started on the longer-term strategy, perhaps usefully based on the Central Government Real Estate Agency’s “Review Report” of 2022.
Overall technical aspects are being handled well but progress has been slow or insignificant and more is now necessary with greater emphasis on coordinated action.
In summary: real sustained action is now hoped for and required to complement the numerous studies and discussions already carried out over years.
