Vauban - Blog Posts

The fortifications of Landau (Pfalz)

Like other towns on the edge of Louis XIV's Kingdom of France at its peak in the late 17th century, Landau, now in Germany, received the Vauban treatment, transforming the town into an up-to-date garrison and fortress: both the town's ramparts and fort, situated in the North-West corner, were built with in characteristic geometric star shape of the time.

Control of Landau alternated between France and the local lords affiliated with the Holy Roman Empire as battles and sieges between 1702 and 1713 went in favour of one then the other, and remained part of France for another century, as an enclave, until Napoleon's defeat of 1815, when it was handed to the Kingdom of Bavaria.

Today, there is little remaining of the town's ramparts, while some ruins of the fort still stand. Similarly to the Citadelle in Strasbourg, around the walls is a park, while inside is the university and a zoo. Visible in the above shot is a tower built much later than the walls, in 1910, to celebrate Otto von Bismarck - no defensive function whatsoever.