Munot, Circular fortress in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
Munot is a circular fortress standing above Schaffhausen with thick ring walls and a bell tower at its center. The walls offer open views across the town and the surrounding countryside below.
Construction began in 1563 under master builder Heinrich Schwarz, drawing on defensive designs by the artist Albrecht Dürer. This circular design was an innovative defense system for its era.
The bell rings every evening at 9 PM, keeping alive a centuries-old tradition that once signaled the night watch for the town below. This daily ritual connects visitors to the rhythm of life that residents have followed for generations.
You can reach the fortress on foot from the town center via marked walking paths, though the climb takes some effort. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time for the walk uphill.
The fortress was built entirely by hand using only shovels, hammers, and basic tools, without firearms or explosives to move the earth. This feat of manual labor over many years reveals the determination of the workers involved.
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