In the footsteps of the siege: Kaiserswerth in the War of the Spanish Succession

FORTE CULTURA Guided tour: Kaiserswerth (Germany) with Martin Klöffer

Historical tours of the fortress, town and memorial sites – experiencing war first-hand between 1702 and today

Imagine that a war breaks out right on your doorstep. Not a pleasant thought, but that is exactly what happened in Kaiserswerth in April 1702 at the start of the War of the Spanish Succession. Allied troops laid siege to the French-occupied fortress and captured it after two months. All but three houses in the town were completely destroyed and the fortifications were subsequently demolished.

The siege in April–June 1702 was the first operation by the allied imperial troops and the Dutch in the War of the Spanish Succession against the Electorate of Cologne, which was allied with France. The attack lasted 59 days, and the assault on the moat on 9 June resulted in heavy losses. However, the days of the fortress were numbered, and it surrendered on 15 June on very favourable terms.

During the guided tour of the historic old town, you will learn about the history of the city, the fortress and the imperial palace, as well as the background to the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). The construction of the fortress is explained using models and plans, and you will be guided to the most important relics and memorial sites.

The tour highlights the architectural and engineering aspects of the siege: you can still locate the vanished siege works on the site today. Learn how a design flaw in the drainage of the trenches weakened the besiegers' resistance. Understand the role played by the water level. See the spot in the masonry where the breach was made.

Three suggested tours introduce visitors to the relics and memorial sites of Kaiserswerth Fortress and its sieges. These are:

• the historic old town of Kaiserswerth (approx. 2-2.5 hours, on foot, barrier-free except for one staircase)
• the besiegers' headquarters (3-4 hours, by bicycle or car)
• the outer works (approx. 2 hours, level ground, some gentle slopes)

Your tour guide

Dr Martin Klöffler has been researching technical aspects of military history from the 18th century to the mid-19th century since 1980. He has written around 100 essays on fortification research, sieges, field fortifications,  staff organisation, war games, uniform studies, cartography, artillery, field fortifications, surveying history and museum education. Martin Klöffler is also a collector of historical surveying instruments and military history literature on engineering from around 1700 to 1850. He has published four books to date.

Another area of expertise is the reconstruction and communication of technological history and the re-enactment of everyday life in the past with the help of living history. He has also provided items on loan for exhibitions and designed and equipped an exhibition.

His mission is to introduce guests to an exciting part of history that has remained unknown until now.

Further guided tours of Düsseldorf Fortress and classical Düsseldorf are in preparation.

Web links:

• IGHA – https://www.facebook.com/groups/IGhistorischerAlltag/
• General Staff – https://www.facebook.com/PreussischerStab1813
• Engineering geographer – http://www.ingenieurgeograph.de/ (as of 2024)
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/martin.kloffler
• academia https://independent.academia.edu/MartinKl%C3%B6ffler