Blutturm, Fortified tower in Neuss, Germany.
Blutturm is a semicircular fortified structure made of basalt and tuff stone in Neuss, still integrated into the surviving sections of the medieval city wall. The tower displays two preserved stone arches that once supported an elevated walkway where guards could observe the surrounding area.
The tower originated in medieval times as part of the city's defensive wall system. In the 1600s it served as a prison, most notably holding Hester Meurer in 1635 before her execution on witchcraft charges.
The tower's name refers to its past as a prison and marks a difficult chapter in the city's history. Visitors can observe how this structure still anchors the medieval wall system that once defended the town.
The structure now serves as a youth center with programs and activities for young people in the community. Check ahead to understand how to view the interior, as it functions primarily as an active facility rather than a traditional museum.
After World War II, writer Karl Schorn made his home within this tower for approximately ten years following the conflict. His residency illustrates how the structure regained importance in the community life after years of decline.
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