Schnitzturm

The Schnitzturm is a stone tower within the municipality of Stansstad within the canton of Nidwalden in Switzerland. It is part of the Teller / Palisaden medieval fortifications which can be a Swiss history website of countrywide importance. The first fortification alongside the lake shore was the Teller, a wood block constructing and wall built out in Lake Lucerne and dendrochronologically dated to 1206/07.

In the overdue 13th or early 14th centuries the tower changed into constructed on an artificial spit which projected out into the lake as a part of the defenses round Stansstad. In addition to the Schnitzturm, a shielding wall or palisade along with about 8,000 wooden pillars pushed into the lake at a intensity of about 2m. The palisade had a channel in it, known as the Grendel, to permit boats to enter the harbor.

Exactly whilst the tower was first constructed is unknown, but it seems in a 1428 chronicle of the 1315 Battle of Morgarten. According to the chronicle, during an assault of Habsburg troops from Lucerne, an enemy ship turned into destroyed by using a mill stone released from the tower. Despite the efforts of the defenders, the attackers broke via and Stansstad was plundered. After the 1315 assault, the defenses had been reinforced with earthen and stone partitions and ditches alongside the shore.