Its current form was designed by Menno van Coehoorn, and improved upon by Vauban after the siege of 1692.

It achieved its present extent between 1631 and 1675, when the city was under Dutch control.

This section was called "Terra Nova" to distinguish it from the smaller Médiane fort built adjacent in 1542 and ensuing years.

It was disestablished as a military post in 1891, superseded by a new ring of forts around Namur that were calculated to prevent the city from being attacked with artillery.

The citadel was used as protected space for its command post.