The present rampart is a remnant of the Meppen's former fortress. At the beginning of the 30-year (1618 - 48) the fortress was a square facility with narrow ramparts surrounded by a moat. They had a kind of outer bailey.
During and after the 30-year War the fortress was reconstructed and extended. It was called 'Ravelin' due to its two bastions and several outer baileys, extended with a second rampart, an outer rampart added and additional secured by an inner and outer moat. Today one can take long walks on this trees lined rampart promenade.