Roskilde Barracks (Danish: Roskilde Kaserne), now known as Kildegården, is a former military barracks on Helligkorsvej in Roskilde, Denmark. The buildings are now owned by Roskilde Municipality and used as a hub for local sports clubs and other public associations and societies.
History
edit
Roskilde's first spell as a garrison town began in 1777 when a squadron of the Guard Hussar Regiments was stationed in the city. The soldiers stayed in rented premises at different locations around the city. Their commanding officer from 1806 until 1828 was Major Carl Christian Leopold von Gether. He was given a residence at Roskilde Royal Mansion. The Guard Hussars' horses were stabled in a 51-bay long, half-timbered building next to Roskilde Royal Mansion (Stændertorvet 3F) which is now known as the Hussar Stable (Husarstalden). The Guard Hussar s left Roskilde in 1842 in connection with a reorganization of the army.[1]
The Danish Army Act of 1909 (Hærloven af 1909) placed a new garrison in Roskilde. Roskilde Barracks was originally built in 1911–12 but rebuilt after a fire in 1913. The architect was Vilhelm Fischer.[2] The buildings were partly a gift from Roskilde to the Ministry of Defence and housed a battalion of 500 men.[3]
The barracks was decommissioned in 1974. Most of the buildings were acquired by Roskilde Municipality while Infirmary and Commander's House were used as a new home for Roskilde city court. These buildings were purchased by the city in 2014 following the inauguration of the new Roskilde Courthouse.[4]
Today
editThe Barracks Building (Helligkorsvej 5) has the local television and radio channel Kanal Roskilde and Roskilde Handball Club among its tenants.
Helligkorsvej 3 and 3C is the old infirmary. Helligkorsvej 7 contained the commander's residence.[5] The old gymnastics house is used by nearby Absalon's School (Absalonskolen), a primary school. The former garage complex is used for Roskilde Library's vehicles. Other buildings at the site include former stables and a small jailhose.
The local department of DGI (Danske Gymnastik- & Idrætsforeninger) which covers central and western Zealand are planning to move their headquarters to Kildegården after first temporarily moving to Musicon.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Fredede huse i Roskilde og Lejre" (in Danish). Roskilde Museum. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "Vilhelm Fischer" (in Danish). Kunstindeks Danmark. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ^ "5217 - Roskilde Kaserne - Kaj V. Hansen fortæller om sin til som værnepligtig" (in Danish). Kanal Roskilde. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ^ "Kommunen har købt Kildegården" (in Danish). sn.dk. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ^ "Roskilde tilbudt domhus og retsbygninger" (in Danish). Roskilde Avis. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ^ "DGI er villig til dobbelt flytning i Roskilde" (in Danish). Roskilde Avis. Retrieved 10 January 2015.