Munot - Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Posted by: 
fi67
N 47° 41.804 E 008° 38.387
32T E 472972 N 5282657
Munot on a hill over Schaffhausen is the town's landmark and a popular tourist attraction.
Waymark Code: WMCDE9
Location: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Date Posted: 08/25/2011
Views: 15
Munot is a circular fortification surrounded by wineyards on a hill in Schaffhausen. It is a well-known symbol for Schaffhausen and the most popular local tourist attraction.
It was built between 1563 and 1585 and replaced an older castle called "Annot" that dated back to at least the 11th century. Munot was only once actively used. In 1799 it was under siege by French troops in the Napoleonic wars but stayed undefended. Shortly after it was left abandoned and used as a stone quarry. A local teacher founded an association to preserve the area. In 1839 the renovated Munot could re-open.
Today the location is primarily used for local events. There is a ball with live music and classic dances every Saturday in Summer and a children's festival in August.
The tower is still home of the Munot guard. Today he is responsible for the fallow deer that live in the moat and he has to ring the tower bell by hand every night at 9 o'clock. This position is even older than the building. There is an almost complete list of guards that dated back to the 13th century.