Skip to content

Western Bastion Tower

The Bastion Tower is located at the western corner of St. Veit an der Glan’s medieval town walls. It was built for the stationary deployment of cannons.

Between the years 1531 and 1534, the town’s defences were strengthened. A seven‑metre‑wide zwinger wall and three corner bastions were added. The resulting heavily fortified wall completely encircled the historical town.

The western bastion tower is the last surviving testimony to the former bastions. The other two have been lost over time.

Year of Construction and Restoration

The cylindrical bastion tower at the western corner has a cornerstone marked with the date “1532”. It has been repeatedly restored over the centuries.

The bastion tower was constructed in 1532 to strengthen the town’s defences.
The bastion tower was constructed in 1532 to strengthen the town’s defences.
The Bastion Tower stands at the western corner of the town’s fortifications.
The Bastion Tower stands at the western corner of the town’s fortifications.
Bastion Tower, once set in the Zwinger wall. The wall was demolished and the moat filled.
Bastion Tower, once set in the Zwinger wall. The wall was demolished and the moat filled.
The Bastion Tower was constructed to house fixed artillery.
The Bastion Tower was constructed to house fixed artillery.
Arched opening and bridge, adapted for modern use.
Arched opening and bridge, adapted for modern use.
Arched doorway and bridge are absent from historical engravings, indicating they were added in modern times.
Arched doorway and bridge are absent from historical engravings, indicating they were added in modern times.
Tiled conical roof with knobbed finial and weathervane, dated 1555.
Tiled conical roof with knobbed finial and weathervane, dated 1555.
Close-up of the tiled conical roof with knobbed finial and weathervane, dated 1555.
Close-up of the tiled conical roof with knobbed finial and weathervane, dated 1555.
Vegetation covering the circular wall of the bastion tower.
Vegetation covering the circular wall of the bastion tower.
Vegetation covering the circular wall of the bastion tower.
Vegetation covering the circular wall of the bastion tower.
Bastion Tower, visible after passing through an opening in the north-west town wall.
Bastion Tower, visible after passing through an opening in the north-west town wall.
Connecting wall between the bastion and curtain wall, protecting the passage.
Connecting wall between the bastion and curtain wall, protecting the passage.
The lower part of the bastion is now buried, as the moat was levelled.
The lower part of the bastion is now buried, as the moat was levelled.
Bastion Tower – Signage
Bastion Tower – Signage
5_9_bastions_Eng
map bastion_eng

The 16th Century Corner Bastions

Three corner bastions were constructed in the 16th century to strengthen the fortifications of St Veit an der Glan.

Their approximate dates of construction are given below:
Western bastion: 1532
Eastern bastion: 1531-1534
Southern bastion: 1531-1534

The three corner bastions were built into the zwinger wall.

The western bastion is the only one to survive. The other two bastions do not exist today.

Merian 1649_cropped_dm

Architectural Features
(Based on a Copperplate Engraving, dated 1649)

A round bastion tower occupies the western corner.

It is integrated into the zwinger wall and has a broad circular base.

Two rows of windows indicate two gun platforms. The lower gun platform has widely spaced windows. The upper gun platform has windows set closer together. The spacing of the openings allows a firing arc of 270 degrees.

The tower is topped by a conical roof.

Architectural Features
(Bastion Tower, Today)

The western bastion tower is a stout, cylindrical structure with a conical roof.

It is built from roughly hewn and irregularly shaped fieldstones, laid in uneven courses. This imparts a rustic and robust character to the masonry. The walls are notably thick and pierced by small, square holes. A prominent round-arched doorway with a stone arch provides access. The few windows are small and deeply set, suited for defensive purposes.

The conical roof is clad in wooden shingles and is crowned by a metal finial with a weather vane. The roof overhangs slightly beyond the wall line. Ivy and vegetation partly cloak the stonework. A timber walkway leads to the entrance, suggesting adaptation for contemporary access.

Historical Photographs
Image Source: Archive of the Municipal Authority of St. Veit an der Glan

Bastionsturm1

Bastion Tower in Winter
Photograph taken around 1970

Bastionsturm2_dm1

Renovation of the Conical Roof of the Bastion Tower
Photograph taken in 1969

Deu