Pulverturm, Medieval fortified tower in Krems, Austria

The Pulverturm is a massive round tower at the northeast corner of Krems that was part of the city's older fortifications. Its distinctive shape with the conical roof is visible from many viewpoints and makes it an easily recognizable landmark within the town.

Built in 1477 as part of Krems's city wall, the tower was originally a flat-roofed battery tower, not a powder store. It later served as a gunpowder depot, a role given up in 1752 when the powder was moved to Gneixendorf outside the city for safety. The conical roof was added only in the 18th century.

This tower marks a spot where medieval defense was once crucial to the city, and it still shapes how visitors perceive the edge of Krems today. Those passing by can directly observe the medieval building techniques and understand how it fit into the city's protection system.

The tower is located at the edge of the old town area and is easy to reach when exploring the town center's walking routes. The best views of the structure come from the surrounding street, where you can see its full height and form.

The tower stands inside the wall line as its northeast corner, not outside it; the gunpowder depot itself was moved out of town in 1752 to Gneixendorf, where an explosion struck in 1851. Matthäus Merian's town view shows the tower flat-roofed and labels it "Lug ins Land"; the conical roof came only in the 18th century.