Noorderlijn (en)

The works for the Noorderlijn project (www.noorderlijn.be) will reveal archaeological remnants of the city in various locations. These include parts of the sixteenth-century ramparts under Noorderleien, Londonstraat, Amsterdamstraat and Rijnkaai. The remnants of the harbour inlets and historical habitation will also be exposed.

The quays of the nineteenth-century Kempische Vaart canal and the historic lock near Asia Dock will be excavated near the present-day IJzerlaan and the intersection with Noorderlaan in preparation of the construction of the new IJzerlaan Canal.

The Leien were built in the nineteenth century and follow the line of the demolished sixteenth-century Spanish ramparts. The monumental remnants of these ramparts were preserved underground. The 10-metre high city wall was surrounded by a city moat with five bridges. As was the case with the reconstruction of the Zuiderleien (2002-2006), remnants of the ramparts will be excavated during the works.
We expect this to be the case more specifically near:

• Maria-Theresialei (bastion of Huidevetters Gate)
• Operaplein (Kipdorpbrug Bridge and bastion)
• Paardenmarkt (demi-bastion and bridge of the Red Gate/Rode Poort)
• Tunnelplaats (bastion of the Red Gate/Rode Poort)
• Italiëlei in the section that runs from Tunnelplaats to Noorderplaats (city wall)
• Noorderplaats (bastion of Schijn)
• Rijnkaai (bastion of Kattenberg)

The monumental remnants of the Kipdorp site will remain visible in the square in front of the Opera after the new square is completed.

In addition to the Bastion of the Schijn, there are also remnants of the lock on the Schijn River (Sas van ‘t Schijn) next to Hardenpoort Viaduct. This nineteenth-century lock regulated the water level in the moat and the moat around the city.