One of the privileges of the received City Rights in 1122 was that the city of Utrecht was allowed to strengthen itself against enemies from outside.
The defence has been erected in three ways, namely by:
1. duging a canal around the city (in Utrecht called the Singel or stadsbuitengracht- city outside canal)
2. erecting an earthen wall (dike)
3. building four gates and turrets (geschuttorens)
The city wall had a very strong foundation (fundament) up to three meters thick.
On this foundation a stone shield wall and a row of bows on pillars were erected.
A parapet (borstwering) and battlements (kantelen), from which arrows and later bullets could be fired, protected the marksmen (schutters) behind the shield wall.
The remains are nowadays integrated in the Zocher Garden near the Lucas Bolwerk (opposite the Stadsschouwburg- City Theatre).
The first picture shows the earthen wall and a watch tower. It seems that in winter the enemies have no difficulties to approach the wall by the frozen canal :).
The second picture shows the only visible remains of the Utrecht City Wall, namely the bows and a small part of the shield wall.
On the third picture you see too the remarkable combination of modern architecture and the medieval remains.
No comments:
Post a Comment