Saunatorn, Medieval fortified tower in Old Town, Estonia.
Saunatorn is a round stone tower in Old Town Tallinn that formed part of the city's medieval fortification system. Its thick walls and circular design were typical of defense towers positioned strategically around the city walls.
The tower was built in medieval times as part of Tallinn's defensive network protecting the city from attacks. By the 16th century, it served as an active component of the city's fortification system against potential invaders.
The tower's name comes from a public bathhouse that stood nearby, showing how military structures and ordinary city life were intertwined in medieval times. This blend of defense and community remains visible in how the tower sits among the old streets today.
The tower stands along the medieval wall in the Old Town and is easily reached on foot through accessible pathways around the old walls. It makes sense to visit several towers in one walk since they are spread throughout the city wall.
The tower is one of about 26 surviving defense towers from Tallinn's original medieval fortification system. This count shows how extensive the city's defensive network was and made it one of the most heavily protected cities of that period.
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