Schnitztower (Stansstad)

The extensive lakeside fortification near Stansstad, to which the Schnitzturm belonged, was completed in the 14th century. It was intended to protect the people of Unterwalden from attacks from Lucerne and from Neu-Habsburg Castle. After an attack by Lucerne warriors on Stansstad during the Battle of Morgarten around 1315, the defensive system was strengthened. This included three rows of wooden piles in the lake, a tower on an artificial island, as well as stone barricades, earthworks, and ditches on the shore. The Schnitzturm itself is only mentioned in documents in 1428, but was probably built around 1320. In 1589, the dilapidated tower was renovated and received its current round-arch windows and ground-level access. It was severely damaged by fire during an invasion by French troops in the 18th century but was later rebuilt and restored around 1880. Archaeological diving investigations in the 1970s uncovered underwater remains of the fortification, including palisades and a halberd iron from the early 14th century.

The Schnitzturm is located in Stansstad in the canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland, at an altitude of approx. 441 m above sea level. It is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Lake Lucerne and is connected to the shore only on its south side.

The Schnitzturm is currently not accessible to the public and cannot be visited.

• Rotzberg Ruin (Ennetmoos) (Castle), approx. 1.9 km away
• Rosenburg Castle (Höfli) (Stans) (Castle), approx. 3.3 km away
• Winkelried Castle (Stans) (Castle), approx. 3.9 km away
• Meggenhorn Castle (Meggen) (Castle), approx. 6.2 km away