Only Zwischenwerk Xc boasted a “c” designation. Three Zwischenwerke nestled between Fort X and Fort XI instead of the usual two. That’s why it’s unique. Today little remains of this Cologne fortress. Just a former squad room and kitchen survive. They now serve as changing rooms and showers for a local football club.
Imagine Zwischenwerk Xc in its prime. Built between 1877 and 1879 it was a formidable structure. It housed approximately 150 men and four 9cm cannons. Its walls were thick one to 2.5 meters. The ceilings were even more robust a layered construction of brick sand concrete and earth.
The Zwischenwerk Xc wasn’t always a sports facility. It had a fascinating history. It was partially demolished in 1922. Later it became a stable for the Cologne equestrian club. A carpentry workshop also occupied its rooms. Most of the remaining throat barracks were blasted in 1966. What we see today is a small fragment a testament to what once stood.
A peculiarity of Zwischenwerk Xc is its reversed construction. The single shoulder caponiere is on the left ditch the double caponiere on the right. This is unlike its sister structures. Its throat barracks weren’t mirrored either. The throat caponiere lies to the right of the poterne.
The Zwischenwerk Xc stands as a silent guardian of Cologne’s history. Its fragmented remnants whisper tales of military might and later peaceful repurposing. It shows the city’s evolution. From a strategic fortress to a humble sports facility. It’s a small but significant piece of Cologne’s past. Its story continues to unfold. Even today it continues to serve the community. A reminder of the layers of history embedded within the city walls.