Roter Turm, Vienna, Medieval tower in central Vienna, Austria
Roter Turm was a red-brick structure with a pointed roof and four corner turrets that once formed part of Vienna's medieval city walls near the Danube Canal. A mosaic plaque on a building at Rotenturmstrasse corner today marks the exact location where this tower once stood.
First recorded in 1288, this structure underwent major reconstruction in 1511 under Emperor Maximilian I following damage from a siege led by Matthias Corvinus. This rebuilding restored the fortification after a period of intense military pressure.
This tower served as a ceremonial gateway where rulers were welcomed back after wars and coronations, holding special significance for the city's formal occasions. The structure marked a symbolic threshold between the outside world and Vienna's inner districts.
This location sits in a busy area near the Danube Canal, making it easy to find while exploring Vienna's center. Since only a commemorative plaque marks the original site, look carefully at building corners when walking through the surrounding streets.
A peculiar custom involved a piece of bacon hanging inside the gate arch that only men uninfluenced by their wives were permitted to remove. This humorous test was a reflection of local wit and the social habits of medieval Vienna.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
