Laufer Tor, Medieval gate tower in Nuremberg, Germany.
The Laufer Gate is a tower on the northeastern edge of Nuremberg's Old Town built with a unique design: a square core enclosed by a round outer shell. This 40-meter-tall structure was part of the medieval city fortifications and remains a distinctive landmark today.
Built in 1377, this gate tower was a key part of the city's defensive system for centuries. It underwent major reconstruction in 1556 after suffering damage in military conflicts that swept through the region.
The gate takes its name from an old trade route that once passed through this spot, and its massive stone walls still remind visitors of how vital this location was to medieval Nuremberg. People today gather nearby to appreciate this piece of the city's protective past.
The gate stands near Saint James and Saint Elisabeth churches and is easy to reach on foot from the Old Town center. Keep in mind that the interior is not open to visitors, so you can only view the structure from the outside.
During World War II, this tower was converted into a civil defense bunker with multiple levels that could shelter around 146 people and featured heating and sanitation systems. It shows how important structures played a new role in protecting residents during wartime.
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