During works on Oosterweel, the major infrastructure works being undertaken to complete the Antwerp orbital ring road, archaeologists from the city of Antwerp uncovered a lock dating from the 19th century. It is a water tunnel made of bricks that was used to regulate drainage of the River Schijn, through the North Castle (Noordkasteel) fortress to the River Scheldt (Schelde). The structure will now be further examined, after which it will be demolished.
Built in 1862 on the bend in the River Scheldt, the North Castle or ‘Noordkasteel’ was a large fortress constructed to defend the metropolis of Antwerp. It was part of a plan to turn Antwerp into a ‘National Redoubt’, where the government could retreat in the event of war. A redoubt is a fortified structure in which troops can retreat when outer defences are breached. The castle covered about 170 hectares and included 3 ramparts made of earth surrounding a courtyard, protected by a large moat as well as an outer moat.
Over the years, parts of the North Castle have disappeared. In 1910, large parts of it were destroyed as a result of the expansion of the Port of Antwerp. Only the southernmost moat, an armoury and the rampart bordering the River Scheldt were preserved.
‘Today, the Noordkasteel is mainly associated with its pond and its recreational uses,’ Antwerp mayor Els van Doesburg explains.
‘As a result of the expansion of the port, much of the fortress disappeared to make way for docks and port infrastructure. People were no longer aware of the original size of this military construction as it has disappeared from collective memory. The current Oosterweel works mean part of the original fort is again cut into. In the process, among other things, archaeologists uncovered an historic lock. Their research gives us a chance, once again, to fathom the gigantic size of the original North Castle.’
Water from the River Scheldt passed through two locks at this time. The lock that has now been discovered is 30 metres wide and 20 metres long. It’s made of solid brick and was finished off using bluestone and plaster. It allowed excess water from the main moat to flow into the Scheldt via the outer moat.
Archaeologists will now carefully measure and document the lock, which has been excavated. It will then be demolished as construction on the Oosterweel Link completing the Antwerp orbital ring road progresses.