Instruction on the Fortification of Cities

A technical architectural cross-section depicts a fortification system from the 16th or 17th century. On the far left, a soldier stands atop a defensive wall holding a staff. To the right of this wall is a wide trench labeled "Der grosser graben" The large ditch, followed by a smaller trench ("Das ist der klein graben" That is the small ditch) and a smoke hole ("Rauchloch" Smoke hole).

The primary feature is a large, multi-level fortification wall shown in a cutaway view. The interior reveals vaulted corridors and multiple staircases. Labels describe these features, noting "die stiegen fuerwertig" stairs seen from the front and "die stiegen nach der seitten" stairs seen from the side. Other elements identified include a passage to the defensive flanks ("Streichweren" defensive flanks), lighting apertures ("Liecht" Light), and the floor level ("Höhe des pflasters" Height of the pavement). Markers labeled with letters 'g', 'h', and 'i' correspond to specific points within the architectural design mentioned in the descriptive text at the top.

Here is the layout sketched from the side through the section . g . h . i . as it is generally formed. Also, how two different offsets of the walls are drawn and straight.

The large ditch should be 200 Schuch shoe-lengths, roughly equivalent to feet long and wide.

g

Shaft

h

Smoke hole
That is the small ditch

There is the passage to the defensive flanks Streichweren

i

Here one sees the stairs from the front
Light
Light
Height of the pavement
Here one sees the stairs from the side