Artikelen

• Het Nijmeegse Valkhof als monument in het spanningsveld tussen vernieuwing en conservering

  Since 1936 people have been pleading for reconstruction of Valkhof castle in Nijmegen, which was demolished in 1796. On Valkhof hill extensive subterranean remnants, two chapels and the oldest public town park in landscape style of the Netherlands are reminiscent of this complex.

  As a whole it is protected under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, which did not prevent the Valkhof association and a property developer from drawing up a plan aimed at converting the 'historical scenery of Valkhof' into a 'contemporary top location of international pretensions, suitable for market-oriented and public-oriented activities'.

  A subterranean complex measuring approximately 3000 m² is to be crowned with a building following the forms and contours of the old castle, so as to reinforce the identity of the town as a European trade centre. With a bare majority the town council of Nijmegen decided to cooperate with the plans, although little is known about the design and details of the castle.

  Among conservation experts reconstruction of lost monuments is a topical issue, connected with our views on the value of ancient monuments. Starting from the idea that history can be made, in accordance with architects such as Viollet-le-Duc, Cuypers and Rose, reconstruction as in the cases of castles De Haar and Sypestein, may well be possible.

  On the other hand, thinkers such as Ruskin and Weissman emphasize the unique meaning of the monument as a historical document. According to them history cannot be repeated and the demolition of the castle in 1796 is a historical act as well. When one stresses the visual value of a building, as an architectural design recorded in a series of drawings, reconstruction is possible, just as a piece of music can be performed more than once.

  In such a manner the lost works of J.J.P. Oud were reconstructed on the basis of drawings. However, this vision denies the passage of the monument through time, resulting in numerous building marks that can no longer be imitated. After all, the emotion evoked by the authentic historical experience is also important.

  One should ask oneself whether a rebuilt castle can be anything else than a historicizing stage setting, bound to lead to disappointment among its visitors. Reconstruction of lost monuments appears to be possible only if it concerns unique buildings with symbolic value, lost because of a calamity and still taking up a place in the memories of the generations living now.

  When a large building is constructed in Valkhof park this will entail the permanent destruction of a unique archaeological site. The existing monumental foundations will be irrevocably affected when they are fitted into the new building. Likewise, the essence of the park laid out by J.D. Zocher sr. in 1799 and greatly altered by H. van Lunteren in 1832 will also be lost.

  This park was deliberately conceived around the ruins, in the spirit of Romanticism, in remembrance of the historical meaning of the castle hill. In the meantime the State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science has resolved against the new construction, for reasons of conservation and archaeology. However, for the time being the initiators are pursuing their plans.

  Since 1936 people have been pleading for reconstruction of Valkhof castle in Nijmegen, which was demolished in 1796. On Valkhof hill extensive subterranean remnants, two chapels and the oldest public town park in landscape style of the Netherlands are reminiscent of this complex.

  As a whole it is protected under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, which did not prevent the Valkhof association and a property developer from drawing up a plan aimed at converting the 'historical scenery of Valkhof' into a 'contemporary top location of international pretensions, suitable for market-oriented and public-oriented activities'.

  A subterranean complex measuring approximately 3000 m² is to be crowned with a building following the forms and contours of the old castle, so as to reinforce the identity of the town as a European trade centre. With a bare majority the town council of Nijmegen decided to cooperate with the plans, although little is known...

  Since 1936 people have been pleading for reconstruction of Valkhof castle in Nijmegen, which was demolished in 1796. On Valkhof hill extensive subterranean remnants, two chapels and the oldest public town park in landscape style of the Netherlands are reminiscent of this complex.

  As a...

  A.J.C.(Wies) van Leeuwen, W.-J. Pantus

  84-102

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• Palas, Troonabsis en 'Camara Santa'. De zogenaamde Sint-Maartenskapel op het Valkhof te Nijmegen

  As is shown by the names that are used for the ruined apse at the ‘Valkhof’ in Nijmegen, it is commonly believed that it belonged to the choir of the Palace-chapel and that it was built by the Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. Until now no scholar has ever expressed any doubts about the function of the 'Barbarossa ruins' and in which period and by which of the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire it was erected.

  Nevertheless no thoroughly architectural research has been done that can be used as a solid basis for a reliable interpretation of the material, formal and functional aspects of the ruin. In this article, which is based on a more profound analysis of the material substance and the history of the architectural and sculptural forms that were applied by the masons, some very new conclusions are presented.

  The most important among them are undoubtedly that part of the building must be dated about 1045 and that it was never meant to be a Palatine double-chapel but, as far as the spaces are concerned on the first floor level, was built as the throne-apse of the Aula Regalis or royal assembly-hall.

  On the ground floor the holy relics of the saints and other precious liturgical objects, essential to the rituals that had to be observed during the royal visits to the palace, were kept and venerated in a sort of 'Camara Santa'. So it is supposed that in the apsidal room on the ground floor there was an altar that was dedicated to Saint-Martin, the original patron of the royal treasure of the Franks and consequently of every chapel in which it was temporarily deposited.

  As is shown by the names that are used for the ruined apse at the ‘Valkhof’ in Nijmegen, it is commonly believed that it belonged to the choir of the Palace-chapel and that it was built by the Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. Until now no scholar has ever expressed any doubts about the function of the 'Barbarossa ruins' and in which period and by which of the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire it was erected.

  Nevertheless no thoroughly architectural research has been done that can be used as a solid basis for a reliable interpretation of the material, formal and functional aspects of the ruin. In this article, which is based on a more profound analysis of the material substance and the history of the architectural and sculptural forms that were applied by the masons, some very new conclusions are presented.

  The most important among them are undoubtedly that part of the building must be dated about 1045 and that it was never meant to be a Palatine double-chapel...

  As is shown by the names that are used for the ruined apse at the ‘Valkhof’ in Nijmegen, it is commonly believed that it belonged to the choir of the Palace-chapel and that it was built by the Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. Until now no scholar has ever expressed any doubts about the...

  Aart J.J. Mekking

  103-115

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