terrace
(former 1st great hall & Pfortzheim house)
the space of today's terrace was once occupied with the first great hall of the castle (front part) over the first hall (crypt) and the so called Pfortzheim house (back part) over the old kitchen.
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This great hall was destructed already in the 12th century to be replaced by the gallery (summer hall). The space of the old hall (crypt) and the first great hall (terrace) became a inner courtyard, which contained a water cistern to collect rain water.
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the first great hall
a first representative hall with large window openings was erected at this site around the year 1100. This was where the counts of Vianden held court, receptions etc.
There is nothing left from this building apart one window opening, where the original double window carved stones are indicated in the glass
Pfortzheim house
on the Merian Lithography from the late 16th century this building, erected top of the old kitchen, can still be seen. It collapsed during an earthquaque in 1682 and had been used until then as dwellings.
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The name Pfortzheim comes from a lieutenant replacing temporarely the bailliff at the beginnin g of the 17th century, who took quarters here as the steward's dwellings (Julich house) were in bad shape.
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The glass pyramid overs the fireplace of the old kitchen, fomerly a chimney went further up along the building
town walls
looking down to the valley from the terrace one can see the remains of the old town walls of Vianden. Strategically it's not the best position down in the valley; the first aim of these walls was not to protect the town against huge armies, but to keep outlaws, marauding soldiers and even wild animals out of town. The castle itself gave protection against enemy armies.
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Most towers of the city wall were open towards the back side; this not only spares building material, but it also denies cover to penetrated enemies. From the castle it is possible to shoot into the towers.
