Ringmuren

Ringmuren is a term used to describe a defensive wall that forms a closed perimeter around a town or fortress. The name, meaning “ring wall” in Swedish, is commonly applied to medieval fortifications in Nordic regions, though similar concepts exist in other parts of Europe. Ringmuren were typically constructed from stone, brick, or packed earth and often included towers and gatehouses at major approaches. They were built to protect inhabitants, regulate trade and movement, and define the urban footprint.

Construction and design varied, but ringmuren generally followed the town’s layout and sometimes replaced earlier wooden palisades or secondary defenses. The walls could be reinforced or expanded over time, particularly during periods of conflict or changing military technology. With the rise of artillery in the early modern era, some walls were damaged, dismantled, or repurposed, while others remained intact as symbolic city defenses or tourist attractions. Today, remnants of ringmuren are valued as important cultural and archaeological resources that illuminate medieval urban planning and defense.

Notable examples include the Visby ringmur on Gotland, Sweden. Built in the 13th–14th centuries, Visby’s circular walls and their surviving towers are a defining feature of the medieval town and contribute to its international recognition as a World Heritage Site. Across northern Europe, surviving ringmuren or remnants thereof continue to attract scholars, conservators, and visitors, offering insight into historical approaches to fortification and urban life.

See also: City walls, fortifications, medieval towns.