Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Fort Rapp, originally named fort Moltke until 1918, is a Biehler type fort with a dry ditch built into the fortified belt of Strasbourg. Located in Reichstett, it was entirely built in Vosges sandstone. This monument is one of the 14 Alsatian fortifications ordered by Prussian General Helmuth Karl Bernhard von Moltke after the fall of Strasbourg in 1870. Designed by Hans Alexis von Biehler on the basis of the "strong detached" principle, it was designed to create a discontinuous enclosure around the city, with artillery forts spaced according to the range of the guns. Originally, 36 forts were planned, but only 14 were realized.

The construction of Fort Rapp began in 1872 and was completed in 1874, when it was inaugurated as Fort Moltke. Renamed in 1918 in tribute to General Jean Rapp, a native of Colmar, the fort extends over 4.5 hectares and includes more than 200 rooms. It was designed to house a garrison of 800 men and was protected by 18 guns from 90 to 150 mm. The fort is surrounded by ditches 4 to 6 metres deep and 9 to 13 metres wide, with a total length of about 900 metres. The cut stones come from Saverne quarries, while the bricks of the vaults were produced locally.

During World War I, the fort served as a warehouse and camp for prisoners. During World War II, he was integrated into the Maginot line before being captured by the Germans and used as an ammunition depot. Decommissioned by the army in 1968, it was restored between 1992 and 1993, and opened to the public in 1996. Fort Rapp was listed as historic monuments by order of 23 August 2001. Today, it hosts cultural events such as the Monster Run and visits the 2nd and 4th Sundays from April to September.

Architecturally, Fort Rapp is a remarkable example of 19th century Prussian fortification. It includes an entrance with a place for weapons, guard corps and powderbox, a two-storey gorge barracks, casemates, auxiliary batteries, and underground galleries. The cradle vaults or half-pieces, as well as the vaults of the halls, bear witness to a special attention paid to masonry. The gorge barracks, 228 metres long, could accommodate 800 men. After 1885, modifications were made to strengthen its resistance, such as the addition of concrete and granite on the ramparts.

Fort Rapp illustrates the evolution of military strategies after the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine by Germany in 1871. Designed to defend Strasbourg, it became obsolete with the advent of torpedo shells in 1885. After 1895 he served only as a depository. Purchased by Reichstett municipality around 1990, it is now a historic site open to the public, partly run by private owners and the municipality.

External links