In 1810, Emperor Napoleon ordered the construction of a five-pointed tower fort in the dunes of Ostend, intended to fend off English attacks. The monumental structure was beautifully restored recently, and is now once again ready to withstand the elements and the passage of time.
© Wikimedia commons / Johan Bakker (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The restoration was meticulously planned by a dedicated team. A contractor, skilled craftsmen, the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK), the Flemish Heritage Agency, and the heritage organisation Herita all joined forces under the guidance of the lead architect to ensure the project’s success.
Before work started, laboratory research was carried out to gain a precise understanding of the moisture levels in the brickwork. How could future water damage be prevented without altering the historic look of the walls? The bricks which were most weathered and detracted from the appearance of the fortress were removed first. Then attention turned to the laying and pointing mortar. Numerous mortar samples proved unsuitable; too porous to dry properly or aesthetically unacceptable due to an uneven finish. Eventually, the perfect solution was found. The entire Fort Napoleon, including both new and old joints, was carefully cleaned using saturated steam. Add to that the softcapping - a gentle vegetation layer on the roof that retains or evaporates moisture - and it's clear this restoration project is not just thorough, but also sustainable.
Visitors are once again welcome.
