Plattegrond van Haguenau, 1726

This is a plan of Haguenau, made in 1726 by an anonymous artist. A complex system of fortifications, bastions, and waterways surrounds the city, revealing a visual language of power and protection. The star-shaped bastions, which you can see protruding from the city walls, are not merely architectural features. Their origins can be traced back to ancient defensive structures, evolving through the ages. These forms resonate with earlier cosmological diagrams, where the circle and radial extensions symbolize order and control over chaos, mirroring humanity's attempts to structure and defend its space. Consider how these defensive forms might also echo ritualistic enclosures or mandalas, symbolizing a secure, sacred space, and reflecting a deep, subconscious need for protection against external threats. Just as the fortifications physically protect Haguenau, they also serve as potent symbols of psychological security, echoing through history.