Over millennia, the technology, design, and armament of defensive structures have evolved. Simultaneously, the techniques and tactics for besieging and capturing these "secure places" have transformed. In the face of the immense firepower of modern 20th-century weapons, especially the atomic bomb, the question of the relevance of fortified places arises more than ever. Nevertheless, the fundamental human need for security remains central and demands protected spaces.
In twelve chapters with over 200 objects and images, the exhibition presents a cultural history of fortified places and fortresses using selected examples. It focuses on historical and modern offensive and defensive weapons, but also explores topics that go far beyond traditional fortress warfare, such as castles as romantic projections and retreat spaces.