Beginenturm, Medieval defensive tower in Mitte, Germany

The Beginenturm is a shell tower about 23 metres high with walls up to 3 metres thick, built of Lindener limestone on a deep foundation. Its three stepped storeys are made of very differently sized ashlars. The ground floor was vaulted later, and the upper storeys, open towards the old town, were closed with timber-framed walls from about 1660 until 1944.

The Beginenturm was first mentioned in 1357 as 'De nye Torn' and was built as the last and strongest tower of Hannover's city wall, on the site of the Beginen garden. Its position facing Lauenrode Castle across the Leine showed the city's confidence toward the local ruler. In the early 16th century it served as a prison, including in 1526 before the Reformation, and from 1642 to 1649 an armoury was added against it.

The tower served as an artist studio for many years, attracting painters and sculptors who set up workshops within its walls. This creative use shaped the building's identity and made it an important gathering place for the local art community.

The Beginenturm has been accessible to the public as part of the Historisches Museum since 28 June 2014, after exterior renovation that began in 2011. Plans for separate exhibition rooms on the tower's history and glazed upper floors with a city view were dropped for cost reasons. The tower stands Am Hohen Ufer in the Mitte district.

The tower's foundation was so deep that excavations reached more than 4.20 metres without finding its base, according to heritage conservator Arnold Nöldeke. A plaque on the tower states that stone from the Romanesque predecessor of the Marktkirche was reused in its construction.