Gate House, Pyramid of Stone Balls

Overview

The path to the small bastion with its pyramid of stone balls leads through an opening between the house with a gable and the dwelling tower. Parts of the entrance are still visible. The eastern flanking wall of the gateway suggests the existence of a gate hall. There was probably a stairway between the flanking wall of the gate house and the house with a gable, which led to the upper story of the gate. The small offset towards the bastion on the south can probably be interpreted as a small defence tower.
Collections of stone balls are on the small bastion, as well as in the tournament garden. Well into the 15th Century catapults were a threat to castles.
As a result of clearing work during the 19th Century, many stone balls were found in the debris between the watch-tower and the main gate. This supports the description of the conquest of the castle on the first Sunday in Advent 1645. A catapult could have been transported along the mountain ridge and brought into the tournament garden. The projectiles, stone balls, crossed the 18 meters wide moat and broke through the shield wall.
In general, catapults could sling their munition 300 meters. Not only stones were used, but also burning wood, rubbish and carriers of infectious diseases, which could have a catastrophic result.