Jan van Schaffelaerkazerne, Military barracks in Ermelo, Netherlands.
The Jan van Schaffelaerkazerne is a military barracks in Ermelo composed of several buildings designed according to functionalist standards from the 1930s. The structures follow practical design principles typical of Dutch military facilities from that period.
The barracks were built in 1939 and initially served as shelter for approximately 1,000 people from Barneveld during World War II. After German occupation, the facility became a site under military control.
The facility houses three ceremonial drums given by the Ermelo community to the Reserve Officers Infantry School in 1939. These gifts reflect the historical bond between the military institution and local residents.
The site is best accessed on foot or by bicycle, with visitors able to navigate paved paths between the various buildings. It is advisable to check access regulations in advance, as the facility remains in military use.
In 2023, maintenance staff discovered a hidden space beneath a roof truss containing a mattress and American ration cans from the war. This finding suggests secret activities that took place there during or after the conflict.
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