Rententurm, Gothic defensive tower at Main River, Frankfurt, Germany.
The Rententurm is a Gothic defensive structure on the Main River in Frankfurt with four stories and a square floor plan. The structure is marked by four corner towers and a pointed spire that rises at the harbor entrance.
The tower was built between 1454 and 1456 under Eberhard Friedberger's direction and served to monitor ship traffic and collect taxes from vessels entering Frankfurt's harbor. These duties made it an important economic point on the river.
The tower's basement shows photographs and films about river life, while upper floors display objects related to Frankfurt's trade and economic history. Visitors can see here how important the harbor was for the city.
Four telescopes on the gallery balustrade allow visitors to compare current views with historical perspectives spanning three centuries of Frankfurt's development. The telescopes are positioned so visitors can take the same viewpoints as in the past.
Water level marks on the tower walls document numerous floods, including the remarkable event of 1342 that submerged large sections of Frankfurt. These marks show the repeated flooding events that have shaped the river.
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