A full moon on this explore meant we didn't have to rely on torches to light our way and mark us out to security, and thanks to the moat clearance that has taken place we could be sure of our footing.
Following a wisp of a path down into the moat, we negotiated our way in, and what a find! The Caponier is completely unchaved, and the walls are covered in calcite, stalagtites hang from the ceilings, and the place feels like it has just been abandoned. Anyway, here's my interpretation of the place.
The Caponier has two main gun rooms
As you can see, the gun restraint block is still in place
The field of fire from this caponier would have turned the moat into a killing field
Entering the second gun room
The second gun room, and the tunnel entrance
The tunnel leads to a 20ft shaft leading straight up into the Eastern Redan Guardroom
At the other end of the Caponier, a 20ft shaft leads down to a tunnel connecting to the Western Spur Caponier and to the shaft that exits into the medieval tunnels by St. John's Tower
Herbivore counting the loot in St. John's Passage Tunnel
The growing coin count!
The St. John's Passage Tunnel looking up to the grate in the Medieval Outworks
Looking back down St. John's Passage Tunnel to the Caponier Tunnels
And looking back to the connecting tunnel between Caponiers
Tunnel leading to the Entrance Shaft to the Western Redan Guardroom
Gunroom in the Western Caponier
Stalactites in the Western Caponier
Inside the Eastern Redan Guardroom
The Tunnel that connects East and West Caponiers to St. John's Passage Tunnel and hiding place for the devil's beasts.
Graffiti in the East/West Caponier Tunnel, including one from 1713
The workman's 'bench', complete with vintage Silver Spring bottle.
This is a compilation of several visits, so apologies if it seems a bit of a muddle!
Following a wisp of a path down into the moat, we negotiated our way in, and what a find! The Caponier is completely unchaved, and the walls are covered in calcite, stalagtites hang from the ceilings, and the place feels like it has just been abandoned. Anyway, here's my interpretation of the place.
The Caponier has two main gun rooms
As you can see, the gun restraint block is still in place
The field of fire from this caponier would have turned the moat into a killing field
Entering the second gun room
The second gun room, and the tunnel entrance
The tunnel leads to a 20ft shaft leading straight up into the Eastern Redan Guardroom
At the other end of the Caponier, a 20ft shaft leads down to a tunnel connecting to the Western Spur Caponier and to the shaft that exits into the medieval tunnels by St. John's Tower
Herbivore counting the loot in St. John's Passage Tunnel
The growing coin count!
The St. John's Passage Tunnel looking up to the grate in the Medieval Outworks
Looking back down St. John's Passage Tunnel to the Caponier Tunnels
And looking back to the connecting tunnel between Caponiers
Tunnel leading to the Entrance Shaft to the Western Redan Guardroom
Gunroom in the Western Caponier
Stalactites in the Western Caponier
Inside the Eastern Redan Guardroom
The Tunnel that connects East and West Caponiers to St. John's Passage Tunnel and hiding place for the devil's beasts.
Graffiti in the East/West Caponier Tunnel, including one from 1713
The workman's 'bench', complete with vintage Silver Spring bottle.
This is a compilation of several visits, so apologies if it seems a bit of a muddle!