Overview of the wall remains towards the southeast

In October 2017, the developer submitted the feasibility study in preparation for the construction of a hotel at the Buiten de Waterpoort location. The documents were assessed and approved by the municipality. It was decided that the archaeological wall remains (including the tower) would be retained on site, whereby the wall remains – by means of additional archaeological research – may be removed up to a level of 2.93 metres +NAP. The archaeological wall remains that are now above ground will be incorporated and made visible in the floor of the hotel. This means that the developer can start realising the hotel after carrying out the additional archaeological research.

Councillor Rijsdijk: 'As a municipality, we are pleased with this thorough research, because it provides important information for the city and its history. The building history research speaks of a castle wall that also had a function in the context of the city defense. It confirms earlier assumptions of, among others, Menno van Coehoorn Foundation based on old images and maps. This is another piece of the puzzle from the extensive soil archive of our city. The changed insight (from city wall to castle wall) does not, however, have any consequences for the way in which we want to deal with the wall. It is possible and also important to integrate the wall remains well into the building.'

Why this decision?

The additional building history research shows that there is a castle wall, which also had a function in the context of the city defense. It must therefore be part of the (southern) reinforcement of the Blue Tower Castle are. The castle cannot therefore be viewed separately from the late medieval fortifications that surrounded the city. The remains are therefore of supra-local importance. The board remains authorised to make the decision. The wall remains that were found have previously been designated as 'worthy of preservation'. The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) does not care whether it concerns a castle wall or a city wall. For the RCE, the castle itself (the residential tower or donjon) is of particular importance and this was not found on the site. The RCE fully endorses the zoning proposal. After a trial trench investigation, SOB Research recommended that the site be preserved as much as possible on the site itself and, where possible, that the building plan be adjusted to ensure this. This is also being done.

Plan and view of the canal side of the wall, with the different construction phases in color

The additional building history research was necessary to prevent loss of information by removing part of the wall remains (0 to a maximum of 35 centimetres). The relevant part of the wall remains is removed from its context and is then no longer available for future research. It was decided not to go through the archaeological remains with the foundation beams, but to solve this technically differently. This will further preserve the archaeological remains.

The municipality considers it a great asset that so many people are involved in the archaeological find Buiten de Waterpoort. This input has further deepened the archaeological research and has been supplemented by experts, which has led to a higher quality. Earlier in the process, a number of people submitted their views and a petition. The board included all these documents in their considerations. The submitters will receive an official response from the municipality.

Reason for feasibility study

On 4 July 2017, after consultation with the municipal council on 21 June 2017, the board gave the developer permission to carry out a feasibility study. This study consists of: an additional building history study, a report with control drillings, the modified pile and foundation plan, a plan for the method of fitting the wall remains into the floor and several artist impressions. This study had to show whether it is possible to:

to adapt the foundation and pile plan of the new hotel construction to the existing archaeological wall remains underground;
to incorporate the archaeological wall remains that are now above ground and make them visible in the floor of the hotel. This after the archaeological remains have been finished at a level of 2.93 meters above NAP (top of the floor). For this purpose, 0 to a maximum of 35 centimeters of the wall remains will be removed locally. The developer has been promised that he may implement this agreed option if it is feasible.


	Hundertmark, HFG (2017) Fortification or castle? Additional building history research archaeological excavation Buiten de Waterpoort 2-6 in Gorinchem, Oss. flipbook \| PDF (12 MB)

Feasibility study of hotel Buiten de Waterpoort

Why this decision?

Reason for feasibility study

See also

At the Castle to Gorinchem

No whining, we're sailing through

Aerial photo from World War II shows Blue Tower

Two new publications about the Blue Tower coming soon

Additional building history research outside the Waterpoort

Drilling research outside the Waterpoort

Green light for feasibility study to integrate findings

Evaluation report research Outside the Waterpoort

The Blue Tower in the Krabsteeg

Outside the Water Gate

The Blauwe Toren, what can we do with it?

Reconstruction of the Blue Tower location

Fortress tower