A look behind the walls

Before city walls were built, the fortifications were made of wood with earth walls. For several decades beginning around 1170, fortified settlements also emerged both in Austria and throughout Central Europe. For the time being, walls having battlement rings were erected. Beginning in the 14th century additional towers were built and walls were put up in front of them – so-called bailey facilities. In front of the fortifications there were moats which were filled with water depending on the situation. When firearms came into use, walls were reinforced; round towers, bastions and outworks were constructed. After city defence was no longer necessary, fortifications and city gates were frequently razed. The moats were filled with dirt and turned into parks and gardens.

The valuable cultural heritage of the city walls is evidence of warlike events and of life of the citizens in the fortified cities. History will come alive during a tour of the city walls.

Detailed informations in english will be available soon.