Citadel of Lille
The Citadel of Lille (
Dubbed "Queen of the citadels" (Reine des citadelles) by
A first-class military installation
This "Queen of Citadels" is the matrix of most citadels designed by Vauban. Established on the border of Flanders, it was part of a double-line of fortified towns between Gravelines, Dunkirk and Maubeuge-Rocroi. It delineated the famous "Pré Carré" ("square field") conceived by Vauban comprising 28 fortified cities. From Lille, Vauban supervised the construction of the many citadels and canals of the North, which controlled the border between France and Belgium.
Location
The citadel was constructed to the west of the city on marshland at the junction of the rivers Deûle and Bucquet. This allowed the use of swamp water and mud as a natural defense to make conditions more difficult for any possible enemy besieging the citadel. Through a system of locks and water gates, 1,700 hectares around the citadel could be flooded to a depth of 55 cm. A wide esplanade interrupted the plans, connecting the fort to the city. In 1750, a canal along the esplanade was drilled according to the plans drawn up by Vauban.
References
- ^ a b Lille Office of Tourism: "Monuments" Archived 2013-02-19 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 28 April 2013
- ^ "Fortified Places > Fortresses > Lille". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
External links
Media related to Citadelle de Lille at Wikimedia Commons