GORINCHEM – Gorcum archaeologists are delighted about the unique discovery made during the reinforcement of the Dalemsedijk near the Dalemwal. On the river side, they came across the foundations of what was once the castle of the Lords of Arkel was. It confirms the theory that the fortress of Gorinchem was a lot bigger than was assumed.
Archaeologists make unique discovery
The program polder district of the Tieler- and Culemborgerwaarden, responsible for the dike, granted permission to continue digging for some time and also made an excavator available. "A nice gesture. This way it goes much faster," says Martin Veen.
The castle is said to date from the mid-13th century.de century. The intention is to trace and map the traces of the castle. Aerial photographs will be taken using a hot air balloon. Then everything will be covered with a thick layer of clay. The polder district wants to turn the place into an ecological bank.
Veen already knew that the castle must have stood on this spot. “In 1977, parts of walls and large bullets were found during the construction of a villa on the other side of the dike, and foundations were found when the connection between the Dalemsedijk and the city was constructed in 1815. We are really talking about a unique find, which we are very, very happy about.”
August 27, 1996
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