In this part of the western bastion, the eye is immediately drawn to this primitive cannon, a rare piece that seems to have come straight from the early days of artillery. Its simple, almost crude form contrasts with the sleek elegance of the neighboring culverin. One can discern in its rigid lines and thick metal the experimentation of those early days: an era when black powder was still tentatively revolutionizing methods of defense and attack.

Placed on a rudimentary support, this cannon exudes an archaic power. It evokes the first assaults, the first hesitant shots, the discovery of the devastating effects of explosives. Observing it, one can imagine the muffled roar within the bastions, the acrid smoke rising towards the vaults, and the gunners striving to master a still-unpredictable technology.

This primitive cannon, humble yet fundamental, reminds the visitor how much fortresses had to evolve to accommodate these new instruments of warfare. A single artifact that, in itself, recounts a decisive turning point in military history.

Historical aside – Early cannons

• Early cannons appeared in Europe as early as the 14th century.
• They were often made of hooped wrought iron bars, before the casting of cannons from a single piece was mastered.
• Their caliber varied enormously: some were tiny (for anti-personnel use), others extremely heavy.
• Their range was very short, but their psychological and destructive impact was already significant. Inaccurate, they were used to shake walls, sow panic, or break enemy formations.
• These early firearms marked the beginning of artillery's dominance over medieval fortifications, leading to the creation of specially designed bastions, such as those of Haut-Kœnigsbourg.