The Munot at Schaffhausen, northern Switzerland, an imposing circular 16th century design leap from medieval castles to modern artillery fortresses, was probably based on plans drawn up by German Renaissance artist, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). Ever since it was built in 1589, a watchman living in the tower has rung a nightly bell, originally to signal the closure of the town’s gates and inns
Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen canton, northern Switzerland: the imposing Munot fortress, a landmark circular stronghold built overlooking the Altstadt or old town in the late-1500s, is Schaffhausen’s official emblem and civic symbol. The fortification was constructed from 1564 to 1589 by the city’s master builder, Heinrich Schwarz. It replaced an earlier castle and was designed to strengthen Schaffhausen’s defences following the Reformation and its decision to join the Swiss Confederation. It was built to impress, but was only under military occupation once, in 1799 when French troops skirmished against Austrians. The cost of building the Munot was about the same as it would have cost to build 800 townhouses. The innovative design, a rare example of the transition from medieval castles to artillery fortresses, was probably based on work on circular fortifications by the influential German Renaissance artist, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). The tower by the fortress houses the Munot watchman, who still rings a bell by hand for five minutes at 9 pm (21:00) each night; a signal, ever since 1589, that the town gates and inns should close. Visitors can now enjoy superb views from the battlements over the old town and the River Rhine. Schaffhausen was a city state in the Middle Ages. In 1050, the Counts of Nellenburg founded the Benedictine monastery of All Saints and the town grew around it. It was an imperial free city from about 1200 AD and in 1277, Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf I gave it a charter of liberties. In 1330, Emperor Louis of Bavaria pledged Schaffhausen to the Hapsburgs, but their power waned and it eventually bought its independence. Schaffhausen became a full member of the Old Swiss Confederacy in 1501. It was badly damaged by Swedish and Bavarian troops during the Thirty Years’ War of the early 1600s and its ancient Rhine bridge was burned down.
Size: 2832px × 4256px
Location: Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen canton, Switzerland
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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