The volcanic foundation of Dutch architecture: Use of Rhenish tuff and trass in the Netherlands in the past two millennia
article
Occasionally, a profound but distant connection between volcano and culture exists. This is
the case between the volcanic Eifel region in Germany and historic construction in the
Netherlands, with the river Rhine as physical and enabling connection. Volcanic tuff from the
Eifel comprises a significant amount of the building mass in Dutch built heritage. Tuffs from
the Laacher See volcano have been imported and used during Roman occupation (hence
called Römer tuff). It was the dominant dimension stone when construction in stone revived
from the 10th century onwards, becoming the visual mark of Romanesque architecture in the
Netherlands. Römer tuff gradually disappeared from the market from the 12th century
onwards. Early 15th century, Weiberner tuff from the Riedener caldera, was introduced for
fine sculptures and cladding; it disappears from use in about a century. Late 19th century, this
tuff is reintroduced, both for restoration and for new buildings. In this period, Ettringer tuff,
also from the Riedener caldera, is introduced for the first time. Ground Römer tuff (Rhenish
trass) was used as a pozzolanic addition to lime mortars, enabling the hydraulic engineering
works in masonry that facilitated life and economics in the Dutch delta for centuries.
the case between the volcanic Eifel region in Germany and historic construction in the
Netherlands, with the river Rhine as physical and enabling connection. Volcanic tuff from the
Eifel comprises a significant amount of the building mass in Dutch built heritage. Tuffs from
the Laacher See volcano have been imported and used during Roman occupation (hence
called Römer tuff). It was the dominant dimension stone when construction in stone revived
from the 10th century onwards, becoming the visual mark of Romanesque architecture in the
Netherlands. Römer tuff gradually disappeared from the market from the 12th century
onwards. Early 15th century, Weiberner tuff from the Riedener caldera, was introduced for
fine sculptures and cladding; it disappears from use in about a century. Late 19th century, this
tuff is reintroduced, both for restoration and for new buildings. In this period, Ettringer tuff,
also from the Riedener caldera, is introduced for the first time. Ground Römer tuff (Rhenish
trass) was used as a pozzolanic addition to lime mortars, enabling the hydraulic engineering
works in masonry that facilitated life and economics in the Dutch delta for centuries.
TNO Identifier
573192
Source
Heron, 61(2), pp. 69-98.
Pages
69-98