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1756 - 1781

At first sight the Kazerne Dossin  (Dossin Barracks) does not look as though it is 250 years old. However, it was, indeed, built by the Empress Maria Theresia of Austria in 1756, and is one of the oldest army barracks in Belgium.

© SA Mechelen

Before the barracks were built Austrian soldiers were billeted in cloisters, in houses from the civilian population or other temporary accommodation. Both the local people and the army commanders found this situation unsatisfactory. In order to retain the economic advantage of supplying the garrison with goods and services the city council decided to undertake the heavy investment  of constructing a permanent barracks to accommodate the soldiers. From the army’s point of view a more efficient supervision of the men, who had previously been scattered throughout the city, was now possible.

The military architects followed precisely the demands laid down by their masters in Vienna. This resulted in the building having a rigid and sober appearance more closely associated with Viennese classicism than the local architecture prevailing at that time, which tends to make the complex unique in Belgium. The barracks are now an important subject of study for architects and civil engineers.

Over the next 20 years the number of Austrian troops stationed in Mechelen continued to grow. In 1776 Emperor Jozef II arranged to take over the Predikherenklooster, just across the road from the Kazerne Dossin, to house his expanding detachment of troops in the region, and in 1781 the Austrian Emperor visited the barracks in Mechelen. Soon afterwards the City of Mechelen sold the complex to the state.

We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Van de Vijver from the Archives Department of the City of Mechelen for his professional assistance.

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