Archaeological site Sittard - Fortress city Sittard and fort Sanderbout

Fort Sanderbout is the only surviving bastion in Sittard. It is an extension of Sittard’s medieval defensive wall and rampart. Fort Sanderbout is a 15th- or 16th-century round mural tower with a diameter of no less than 40 metres. In the context of Dutch history this is exceptionally large and it indicates that the old fortress city must have been very important. In 1494 Duke Gulik took over the city and became embroiled in a power struggle with emperor Charles V. The fortifications were strengthened in order to keep enemy cannons at bay and the city gates were made even more secure. Ultimately, they were destroyed in 1677 by troops serving the Sun King, Louis XIV of France.

A Jewish cemetery was established on the ramparts around Fort Sanderbout in about 1700. Only a small part of the Jewish community survived the second world war, and so there was no one to take care of the graves. The remains were therefore reburied in the Jewish cemetery on Dominicanenwal.

During the past two centuries, the underground passageways that are part of the complex, have served a variety of functions. They were used as rubbish dumps and in the Second World War they were used as air raid shelters. In 1954 the police became interested in the cellar. They constructed a shooting range there and plastered the walls to prevent bullets from ricocheting. The passageways were shortened by means of a thick wall. Later on, the shooting range was closed. Currently, various options are being explored for conserving and redeveloping Fort Sanderbout. Meanwhile, research into the history of Fort Sanderbout remains a ‘work in progress’.

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NOTE: The Archeo tile location can be found on the Fort Sanderbout walk

For additional information:
Erfgoedcentrum De Domijnen
Kapittelstraat 6
6131 ER Sittard
+31(0)88-5995555
www.dedomijnen.nl

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