Zwischenwerk VIIIb - Köln, Germany
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Narayan,
N 50° 53.923 E 006° 58.941
32U E 358120 N 5640501
DE: Befestigungsanlage des preußischen Kölns. EN: Fortification of the Prussian Cologne.
Waymark Code: WM11Y56
Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Date Posted: 01/09/2020
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member pmaupin
Views: 10
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Zur Preußenzeit wurde Köln von zwei Befestigungsringen umschlossen, um potentielle Angriffe abzuwehren. In regelmäßigen Abständen wurden entlang dieser Ringe große Festungen (sogenannte Forts) und kleinere dazwischen (sogenannte Zwischenwerke) erbaut. Sie dienten der Stationierung von Truppen, Lagerung von Waffen und der Verteidigung gegen mögliche Feinde. Das Zwischenwerk VIIIb war eine solche, kleinere Festung im äußeren Befestigungsring. Es wurde 1873 bis 1876 erbaut und war mit etwa 150 Soldaten besetzt.

Nach dem ersten Weltkrieg wurden die Befestigungsanlagen Kölns gemäß dem Versailler Vertrag geschliffen, als letztes Bauwerk 1926 das Zwischenwerk VIIIb. Doch im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Forts, die vollständig zerstört wurden, konnten große Teile des Zwischenwerks VIIIb erhalten werden. Insbesondere dem Engagement des späteren Bundeskanzlers Konrad Adenauer ist es zu verdanken, dass der Kasernenbau sowie der umgebende Wallgraben fast vollständig erhalten geblieben sind.

Heute kümmert sich das Cologne Research - Institute of Fortification Architecture (CRIFA) um den Erhalt und die Erforschung der Anlage. Seit 2004 betreibt es im Zwischenwerk das Kölner Festungsmuseum, ein Geschichtsmuseum über die preußischen Befestigungsanlagen in Köln.
During the Prussian period, Cologne was surrounded by two fortification rings to ward off potential attacks. Large fortresses (so-called Forts) and smaller ones in between (so-called Zwischenwerke) were built along these rings at regular intervals. They served to station troops, store weapons and defend themselves against possible enemies. The Zwischenwerk VIIIb was such a smaller fortress in the outer fortification ring. It was built between 1873 and 1876 and was staffed by around 150 soldiers.

After the First World War, the fortifications of Cologne were slighted in accordance with the Versailles Treaty, the last building in 1926 was the Zwischenwerk VIIIb. However, in contrast to many other forts that were completely destroyed, large parts of the Zwischenwerk VIIIb could be preserved. It is particularly thanks to the commitment of the later Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer that the barracks and the surrounding moat have been almost completely preserved.

Today, the Cologne Research - Institute of Fortification Architecture (CRIFA) takes care of the maintenance and research of the facility. Since 2004 it has operated the Kölner Festungsmuseum (i.e. Cologne Fortress Museum), a history museum about the Prussian fortifications in Cologne.
More Information / Weblinks CRIFA / museum website
Wikipedia
City of Cologne
Crosslinks This waymark is also listed as:
WM11XYX | History Museums
The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1873

Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": Prussia

Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: I don't know

What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: Used for defence of a border or land claim.

Current condition: Almost completely preserved

This site is administered by ----: Cologne Research - Institute of Fortification Architecture (CRIFA)

If admission is charged -: 0.00 (listed in local currency)

Open to the public?: Restricted or by appointment only.

Official or advertised web-page: [Web Link]

Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": [Web Link]

Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: Not listed
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