Hoch über der Stadt
From the Munotzinne the eye sweeps over the roofs
From the Munot battlement the view reaches far over the rooftops of Schaffhausen. After completion in 1589, the surrounding view was still completely unobstructed. The platform was initially encompassed by only a low, crenellated wall. The sole protection from the weather was a simple wooden structure.
In 1622/23, to provide better cover for the occupying troops, the north-facing crenellated wall was increased by four metres in height, i.e. on the enemy side, and eight gun-loops and four battrices were added. The stepped depression in the centre was levelled.
No further construction work was undertaken until the restoration works in the 19th and 20th centuries, which included cementing the platform (1865–67) and adding a veranda (1867–87). In 1956/57, substantial alterations were again carried out on the battlements.
Ground-plan of the Munot platform:
a | round tower
b | access to the eastern alure (spiral staircase)
c | well
d | wall
e | battrice
Bild: Staatsarchiv Schaffhausen Chroniken A 1, Bd. II, bei S. 772.
The watercolour from c. 1605 by Hanz Kaspar Lang shows the Munot in its earlier phase of construction.