Ingolstadt: Bavaria‘s Major Fortress Fortifications in Early Modern Times and the 19th Century

Ingolstadt until 1420 Ingolstadt has two city walls:

The Third Fortification of the City The second city wall was too weak to withstand modern long distance weapons, like canons. Moreover, there was no room for canons on the city wall. Due to the wars during the reformation period and Turkish attacks on Austria the dukes of Bavaria decided to turn Ingolstadt into the country’s major fortress (1537-1573).

The Forth City Wall The third fortification of the city survived two wars without damage. However, its many gates presented a serious problem. In 1654 the building of forth fortification was started. It was finished almost 150 years later, in 1800. It consisted of pentagonal bastions, water moats, walls, and only three access points into the town. The bridge across the Danube was also fortified.

Above: Barracks; Tower Baur Below: Bridge across the Danube with fortification

What Happened to the Four City Walls? It may be presumed that the first city wall was destroyed during the construction of the second one because its stones were needed. After the French occupation in 1800 by Napoleon, the third and fourth fortifications were partially destroyed. Because the second wall was already outdated at that time, it was left unchanged. However, Ingolstadt could no longer be successully defended.

The Fifth Fortification After all the fortifications were destroyed in 1800 and following the transfer of the city‘s university to Landshut in the same year, Ingolstadt dwindled in importance. In 1825, King Ludwig I decided to turn Ingolstadt into Bavaria‘s major fortress once again. The construction began in 1828 and was planned by famous architects, such as Leo von Klenze.

The Interior Ring North of city, six protection houses (Cavaliere) were built: Dallwigh, Heydeck, Elbracht, Spreti, Hepp, and Zweibrücken. Smaller fortifications helped to protect these major strongholds. South of the river the Tower Triva and the Reduit Tilly were constructed, the latter of which - in case of a war - was supposed to house the royal family, the crown jewels, and the constitution. Further fortifications include the Tower Baur and the Red Tower. All of these buildings were masterpieces in defense architecture.

Right: Cavalier Heydeck Bottom right: An old city map Bottom left: Reduit Tilly

The Middle Ring (Started in 1866) Long range and stronger weapons required that the fortification be extended. Defense structures were erected at a distance of two or three kilometres away from the city. These structures were intended to stop the enemies before they reached the city and force them into retreat.

The Exterior Ring (Started in 1875) It soon became necessary to construct new and even stronger fortifications further away from the city. A total of 16 forts was built, nine on the north side of the river, and seven south of it, which were surrounded by water moats. Even the area in between the forts was protected by additional fortifications.