In Wallbach, in the north-west part of the canton, three watchtowers were found. Of the first, part of a wall can be seen in the cellar of a house. The second, at locality Unter der Halde, was destroyed shortly after the Second World War. The third, at locality Stelli, was investigated in 1913 and 1949-1950, and can still be seen. This tower was quite large, measuring 17.60 x 17.60 m., with walls 2.30-2.40 thick. In the interior three hearths were found. A ceiling was supported by four piers measuring 1 x 1 m. A part of the stone crenellation was found, and the stone frame of a slit window. In the centre of the roof was perhaps a compluvium. At a distance of 6-7 m. was a moat, 2.50 m. wide.
View of the remains of the watchtower at Stelli. Photo: Wikimedia, PantaRhei.
The stone window frame at Stelli. Photo: Häseli-Schwarz 2019, Abb. 15a.
Reconstruction drawing of the watchtower at Stelli by Markus Schaub. Häseli-Schwarz 2019, Abb. 19.
Literature
Hartmann-Weber 1985, 205-206; Drack-Fellmann 1988, 480-481; Drack-Fellmann 1991, 272-273; Häseli-Schwarz 2019(1).
[1-Oct-2023]
