Becelaere-Kaserne, Military building in Hohenkreuz district, Esslingen am Neckar, Germany
Becelaere-Kaserne is a barracks complex in Esslingen am Neckar, built in 1914/1915 to a design by military building inspector Graser. Its neoclassical buildings, influenced by Theodor Fischer's school, have hipped roofs, dormers, a continuous cornice on consoles and triangular gables. They are grouped around a rectangular parade ground that was divided by planting into riding and exercise areas.
Esslingen housed troops since the 18th century, but only in 1914/1915 was its first purpose-built barracks constructed, designed by military building inspector Graser. The project followed Baron Carl Alexander von Palm's sale of Hohenkreuz Castle and surrounding land to the city. The site between the castle and St. Bernhardt Church was named after Becelaere near Ypres, where the stationed II Battalion of Infantry Regiment No. 125 had fought.
The name Becelaere-Kaserne refers to the village of Becelaere near Ypres, where the II Battalion of Infantry Regiment No. 125 fought in World War I. That battalion was stationed in the new barracks, which was designed by military building inspector Graser. The name was given to the complex after the war.
The site was renovated between 1956 and 1961 and housed Medical Battalion 10 until the late twentieth century. The parade ground now includes an underground parking facility while keeping the historical buildings intact above.
The perimeter wall still stands in part, separating the complex from the surrounding housing that grew up around it. The site is now called Palmscher Park, after Baron Carl Alexander von Palm, who sold the land to the city.
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