’s-Hertogenbosch (NL)

The History and Architecture of the Fortified City of ’s-Hertogenbosch

’s-Hertogenbosch, the legendary „Swamp Dragon“, owes its history to the close link between geomorphology and military technology. The town was founded in the 12th century (traditionally in 1185) by Duke Henry I of Brabant founded on a sand dune (Donk) in the midst of impassable moors. From the outset, he conceived it as a fortress to protect his interests against Holland and Gelre.

First town fortifications

The first city wall, built of brick and tuff, was erected around 1225, shortly after the town was granted its charter. It was built around the Donk in the centre of the town, which later became the market square. This crenellated enclosure wall had five city gates. Three of these gates are named after the main cities of the Duchy of Brabant: the Antwerpse Poort, the Leuvense Poort and the Brusselse Poort. They were built at the expense of the cities in question. In addition to these gates, there were two water gates: the Waterpoort on Herman Moerkerkplein and the Waterpoort on Sint-Geertruikerkhof.
The Aa, the Dieze and the Dommel flowed around the settlement, which stood on a sandy hill. The first wall was built along these watercourses, which became the town moat. The 7.50-metre-high enclosure wall was supported by arches and foundations. The first enclosure wall, completed in 1225, is one of the oldest masonry fortifications in the Netherlands. There are indications at several points in the townscape of where the gates stood and where the wall once ran. Only the southern Schleusentor remains today and is situated at the Groot Ziekengasthuis. The southern Waterpoorttor was built across a branch of the Dieze.

Second set of city defences

Under John III of Brabant From 1318 onwards, the site underwent a massive expansion to almost 100 hectares. During this phase, tall, slender walls were erected to repel siege ladders, as well as the complex system of canals in the Within ten with strategic water gates such as the Groote Hekel. The Antwerp Gate had to be demolished. The Leuvense Poort and the Brusselse Poort were given a new function. A total of eight gates were added: the Baseldonkpoort, Boompoort, Koepoort, Molensteegpoort, Orthense Poort, Pijnappelsche Poort, Sint-Jans Poort and Vughter Poort. Around 1540, the Hinthamer Poort was built, which later became a bastion. The River Aa also flowed through this gate.

With the advent of heavy artillery in the 16th century, the walls were replaced by Bastions reinforced. Nevertheless, due to its location, the town was long considered impregnable, until Frederick Henry of Orange In 1629, he achieved a technological feat: he had the marshland drained using a 40-kilometre-long system of dykes and windmills so that the walls could be reached via moats.

Following the conquest, the States-General built the Citadel (presumably designed by Pieter Bilderbeeck). This pentagonal fortress, mockingly „Papenbril“ was intended not only to repel attacks, but also to keep the Catholic population under control by means of its inward-facing cannons.

Although the Fortifications Act of 1874 permitted the demolition of many structures, the city walls of Den Bosch remained largely intact, as they were considered vital Flood defences served. Since 1999, this heritage has been undergoing extensive restoration as part of a master plan.

To immerse yourself in the history, culture and art of ’s-Hertogenbosch, visit the Noordbrabant Museum and the Hieronymus Bosch Art Centre.

Modern extensions, alterations and restoration work

What makes Den Bosch unique is that the city walls were largely preserved when the fortifications were dismantled after 1874, as they were considered vital Flood defences served. Since 1999, these facilities have been part of the master plan „Reinforced Den Bosch“ thoroughly restored and given a modern twist:

• Sint Anthonie Bastion (restored in 2016): In order to restore the historic earthwork without damaging the monumental trees, engineers developed a modern „Ribbed structure“ made of Corten steel, which mimics the shape of the fortress whilst also serving as a footpath.
• Bastionder (Bastion Oranje): An underground information centre has been built within this bastion, combining modern architecture with the historic remains of the walls and the heavy artillery piece known as „Boze Griet“.
• Integration of infrastructure: In the redesign of the Smoke and Fire Area The construction of an underground car park was directly linked to the restoration of the city walls and the re-establishment of the medieval ground level.
• Modernised city gates: As the old gates had to make way for traffic, modern buildings have been erected in some places; these draw on the function and aesthetics of historic gate structures and serve as offices or flats.
• Restoration of the Binnendieze: After decades of neglect and use as a sewer, the canal system has been restored and now features new tunnels, such as the navigable passage at the Kruisbroedershekel, has once again been fully developed for tourism.

The Bosch Time Machine

The „The Bosch Time Machine“ brings 800 years of local history to life. Our aim is to link and visualise big data from the past in order to identify patterns and connections between historical figures, places and events. It’s like a historical Google Earth, allowing you to navigate through the city, through time and space. Or like a medieval Facebook, as it reveals personal networks from the past. The Den Bosch Time Machine makes the history of ’s-Hertogenbosch accessible to the public.