Enceinte de Strasbourg

The fortification system of Strasbourg consists of stone walls, watchtowers, gates, and moats that follow the branches of the Ill River through the central districts. The design integrates the water channels as an essential part of the defensive structure.

The fortification began in Roman times when the Eighth Legion built defensive works in the 2nd century. Medieval expansions followed over the centuries to protect the growing city and adapt to new threats.

The preserved walls form a backdrop to how the city developed and protected a place where different worlds have always met and mixed.

The remaining sections are scattered across the city and can be explored on foot following marked paths that connect the main gates and towers. Taking time to walk through the different parts helps you understand how the whole system worked together.

The walls are linked to a water network using the natural branches of the Ill River as a continuous protective barrier around the city. This combination of stone and water made the fortress extremely difficult to breach throughout its history.