Lavenstein, Fortified tower in Aachen, Germany
Lavenstein is a circular fortified structure made of quarry stone with a diameter of 6.60 meters (21.65 feet) and a flattened side measuring 4.20 meters (13.78 feet). The tower has narrow slits on the ground floor and larger openings higher up that served different defensive purposes.
The tower was built between 1300 and 1350 as part of Aachen's outer city defenses. When the fortifications were dismantled in the 1800s, this structure remained standing and survives to this day.
The tower formed a critical part of the city's defenses and still shows traces of its protective purpose. Visitors can see how its narrow openings and construction reflect the tactical needs of its time.
The tower sits in a small triangular park at the intersection of three streets where it is easy to walk around and view from all sides. The green space makes it comfortable to stop and examine the structure's details at your own pace.
In the 1800s, residents lowered the tower floor to store ice from frozen ponds for keeping food and drinks cool. This creative reuse shows how people adapted the old defensive structure for everyday practical needs.
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