Restoration of the fortress walls

Although the redevelopment is not part of the actual restoration of the front I-II, this work is probably the most important. This is because this work ensures that the entire area can be completed. The redesign includes the framing of all the earthwork such as the traverses, the plongйe, the terreplein, the banquet, the outer embankment, but also the construction of paths, stairs, lighting and everything that goes with it (the terminology such as the plongйe can be found on the site of the Menno van Coehoorn foundation). These may all be difficult terms, but they are essential for the correct designation of parts of the ramparts.

The right profile was determined by Copijn landscape architects from Utrecht by conducting a lot of archival research. Old maps from 1880 to maps and aerial photographs from before and after the Second World War have been carefully studied. By determining sub-areas, time images can be established for each sub-area. Because various adjustments were made in the area of the front I-II between 1880 and 1960, an unambiguous picture of the time is therefore not possible. Following the image of the time of 1880 in general would mean that various objects would have to be removed, such as the German concrete works from the Second World War. However, this image of the time also shows part of the history of Hellevoetsluis. Brushing this away would violate the military history of Hellevoetsluis.

In diffuse parts of sub-areas. Diffuse due to an unambiguous image of the time, compromises were needed to be able to redesign in a historically responsible way. This was particularly difficult on the left flank of the I-II front. In this sub-area there are elements from 1880, 1890, 1900, 1915, the Second World War and the Cold War (not many elements of the latter construction period can be found).