Does the name Teufelsschanze sound a little intimidating? It translates to Devil’s Sconce. But don’t worry, we’re not summoning anything today. We’re exploring a fascinating piece of Wuerzburg’s history.
The Teufelsschanze is a former fortification. It sits on the northern slope of Marienberg Fortress.
Back in the day, attacking the south side of Marienberg Fortress was a nightmare for invaders. It was too steep. So, they focused on the more accessible north side. A dip in the terrain near where the Teufelsschanze now stands was a major problem. It allowed enemies to get dangerously close to the fortress’s core.
To fix this vulnerability, Balthasar Neumann stepped in. Between 1719 and 1726, under his leadership, the Teufelsschanze was constructed. This new defensive structure was closed off on all sides. Its only connection to the other bastions was a secret underground passage.
The Teufelsschanze is first mentioned in fortification records from 1719. It was called “Schanz vor dem Zeller Tor” at the time. This translates to Sconce before the Zeller Gate. Work began under Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schoenborn. Essential parts were completed by 1723. Prince-Bishop Christoph Franz von Hutten ordered earthworks on the sconce and in front of it in 1725. In 1726, a coat of arms was delivered and embedded in the core. Prince-Bishop Friedrich Carl von Schoenborn had counterscarp walls built. His coat of arms is in the southwest corner of the ditch.
Between 1736 and 1737, an underground connection was dug. It ran from the moat opposite the west front of Bastion St. Sebastian to the rear of the Teufelsschanze.
The Teufelsschanze is a ravelin. It is an independent structure. Its job was to protect the wall between two bastions. It acted as a bridgehead typically on a triangular base.
Today, the Teufelsschanze is part of the FFH area Fledermausquartiere in der Festung Marienberg. This translates to bat quarters in the Marienberg Fortress. Old casemates and vaults are home to at least eight bat species. One of them is the very rare and endangered Mopsfledermaus.
The Teufelsschanze was included in the 1990 State Garden Show. Today, the Teufelsschanze is located between a small garden park and a rose garden. It is not accessible to the public. Ivy carpets, wild clematis, and naturally seeded trees and shrubs have turned it into a small inner-city haven for local animals and plants. The ruin and various stages of vegetation create diverse habitats. The Teufelsschanze is surrounded by a natural ravine with many trees. It was recently mapped as a near-natural wooded complex rich in deadwood. The impressive wilderness in the ditch features forest-like deciduous trees and shrubs. Some grow sideways. There are also partly fallen trees, deadwood, and dense ivy covering the ground, trees, and old walls.
This unique example of fortification architecture lies forgotten. It is between the rose garden, Japanese garden, and small gardens. Until the 1990 State Garden Show, small gardens blocked access to this Balthasar Neumann structure. Now, only a wire fence stands in the way. The listed building is hidden behind bushes and trees. It slumbers in anonymity and partial decay.
In the late 1980s, the casemates and parts of the communication tunnel were in alarming condition. Some had already collapsed. The State Building Authority stopped the imminent collapse. Hopefully, a complete renovation of this valuable site will be possible soon.
So, while the Teufelsschanze may be off-limits for now, its story remains. It is a reminder of Wuerzburg’s strategic importance. It is a testament to the ingenuity of its builders. The Teufelsschanze quietly awaits rediscovery.