Construction of dungeon XIIe siècle (≈ 1250)
Feudal Donjon discovered in 1975
XVIe siècle
Spanish rehabilitation
Spanish rehabilitation XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
New enclosure with modern bastions
15 mai 1944
Protection of the Mons Gate
Protection of the Mons Gate 15 mai 1944 (≈ 1944)
First Registration Historic Monument
23 juin 1981
Ranking of dungeon
Ranking of dungeon 23 juin 1981 (≈ 1981)
Feudal vestiges classified
23 juin 1995
Registration of remains
Registration of remains 23 juin 1995 (≈ 1995)
Protection extended to the enclosure
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
La Porte de Mons : inscription by decree of 15 May 1944 - Remnants of the feudal dungeon, Place Guillemin (case AH 282): by order of 23 June 1981 The ground and basement of the plots comprising the remains of the fortifications: Mons front including the remains of the Mons front, with the exception of the already registered Mons gate (see AE 284, 282, 283, 147, 148); lock of the entrance of the waters (bridge of the ladies) and its building, double bastard (see AE 135); adjacent counterscarp walls (cad. AE 129, 136); half-moon of the flood (see AE 388, 411); guard corps (cd. AE 396, 395); powder magazine (see AE 199): registration by order of 23 June 1995 - The front of Mons: half; moon 11 of the castle; Bénit (see AE 77, 79, 81), bastion number 2 of the Recollets (see AE 261-263); escarp between Mons gate and Recollet bastion (see AE 430, 370, 372, 220); Case number 8 (Case AI 260, 262, 278, 279, 281, 368); half moon of France number 15, ditch and counterscarp (Case AI 554, 518, 556, 399 to 401, 553 to 551); France bastion number 5, counterscarp and escarp (AH 265, 262, 172, 234, 235); half; Moon number 17 (Saint John) (Case AH 233); Bastion Saint John (AH 176-181, 188); bezel 22 (AH 222): entry by order of 23 June 1995 - The bastion of the Reyne (Case AI 646) , its ditch and its counterscarp (Case AI 16, 21, 22, 26, 27, 15, 34, 633) : inscription by order of 23 June 1995
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
Sources do not mention any historical actors
Origin and history
The fortifications of Avesnes-sur-Helpe form a defensive ensemble built at different times, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. The dungeon, dating from the 12th century, and remains of the medieval enclosure were discovered from 1975. These early structures reflect the strategic importance of the city from this time onwards, although few precise architectural details are preserved for this time.
In the 16th century, under Spanish domination, the enclosure was completely redesigned and strengthened, incorporating modern elements for the period, such as bastions adapted to artillery. This work was continued and renovated in the 17th century, leaving a remarkable military architectural heritage. Among the remains still visible today are the Porte de Mons, the bastion of the Reyne, as well as the bastions of France and Saint John, illustrating the evolution of fortification techniques.
The fortifications were the subject of numerous protections under the Historical Monuments: the Gate of Mons was inscribed in 1944, followed by the classification of the remains of the dungeon in 1981 and the inscription of various other elements (fossed, half moons, guard corps, powderbox) in 1995. These measures demonstrate the heritage value of the site, although its property is now shared between public (municipal, departmental) and private actors.
The preserved enclosure offers a representative example of the urban fortifications of modern times in the ancient Spanish Netherlands, a region often disputed between the kingdoms of France and Spain. Its present, albeit partial, state makes it possible to study the successive adaptations of defensive systems in the face of the progress of the Poliorcetic. The location of the remains, around Place Guillemin and the front of Mons, highlights their integration into the contemporary urban fabric.
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