West Flanking Wall

WEST Flanking WALL BUILT 1360

The west flanking wall, built around 1360, already connected the Annot — the predecessor to the Munot (built 1564–1589) — with the wall around the medieval town. Originally it had a wooden wall walk on the inside.

As shown by the architectural investigation, the construction of the wall in 1360 was undertaken in two stages. Even at that time it was approximately 10 metres high. Later, perhaps in the 16th or 17th century, the original crenels for the archers were replaced by gun-loops for small arms.

On 28th December 1720, 40 metres of the wall collapsed, not because of enemy fire, but as a result of a severe storm. The repair, which only took a year to complete, is easy to recognise based on its uniform masonry consisting of large stone blocks.

A cannonball symbolically incorporated into the wall surrounded by an inscription dating the repairs to 1721.


a/b | Two stages in the construction of the flanking wall, circa 1360.
c | Original crenels, later replaced by smaller gun-loops.
d | Repairs made after the storm damage of 1720.