Lush Summer in 'Stad'. Noorderplantsoen, Groningen, The Netherlands
It's hard to believe that once there were no trees here at all and no shade and no pleasant ponds. Today this is the lushly green Noorderplantsoen of Groningen, affectionately called 'Stad' without an article by its denizens. In yesteryear - 1608-1624 - these were the city's New Fortificatons meant to defend it from the inimical onslaught of 'modern' artillery. Those cannon could easily destroy the town's walls, but the balls would come to naught as they buried themselves in the earth of the new fortications. In order to have a good view of what was happening on the outskirts of town, trees and other obstacles were removed. These defenses served into the nineteenth century. Modern warfare then became so different that a new national law of 1874 allowed cities to level the erstwhile lines of defence. Often these areas were turned into parks; they were lungs, as it were, for the ever-expanding cities of the industrial revolution.
The Noorderplantsoen was made into an English-style garden. It's wonderful for walks in all seasons. But the Lush Green of Late Spring and Summer are my favorite times...
Lush Summer in 'Stad'. Noorderplantsoen, Groningen, The Netherlands
It's hard to believe that once there were no trees here at all and no shade and no pleasant ponds. Today this is the lushly green Noorderplantsoen of Groningen, affectionately called 'Stad' without an article by its denizens. In yesteryear - 1608-1624 - these were the city's New Fortificatons meant to defend it from the inimical onslaught of 'modern' artillery. Those cannon could easily destroy the town's walls, but the balls would come to naught as they buried themselves in the earth of the new fortications. In order to have a good view of what was happening on the outskirts of town, trees and other obstacles were removed. These defenses served into the nineteenth century. Modern warfare then became so different that a new national law of 1874 allowed cities to level the erstwhile lines of defence. Often these areas were turned into parks; they were lungs, as it were, for the ever-expanding cities of the industrial revolution.
The Noorderplantsoen was made into an English-style garden. It's wonderful for walks in all seasons. But the Lush Green of Late Spring and Summer are my favorite times...