Gate of Steinen, Medieval tower in Basel-Stadt, Switzerland.
The Gate of Steinen was a sturdy fortification with thick stone walls that stood at a key location marking the entry to the medieval city. It served as both a defensive barrier and a passageway where goods and travelers entered Basel.
The gate was built in the early 1400s as part of Basel's defensive fortifications and stood for more than 400 years. It was demolished in 1866 when the city underwent major renovation and expansion.
The gate served as a meeting point where city residents and visiting merchants gathered regularly. It shaped how people moved through this part of Basel and marked an important threshold in their daily routines.
Today the site can only be experienced through historical remains and markers, since the structure itself no longer stands. Walking through the area helps you understand where the gate once controlled passage into the city center.
Stone fragments from buildings damaged in the 1356 earthquake were later incorporated into the gate, mixing materials from different time periods. This practical reuse shows how builders adapted and resourcefully rebuilt after disasters.
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