Pfeifturm, Medieval watchtower in Ingolstadt, Germany

The Pfeifturm is a square, brick-built Gothic tower on Moritzstraße, directly adjoining the Moritzkirche. It rises 63 metres and is topped by a baroque hood added in 1720. A gallery at 45 metres encircles the tower and is reached by 201 steps.

The tower was built in the 14th century and first appeared in written records during 1497 as a defensive structure for the city. Its role as a lookout post gradually changed as the city modernized and new warning systems emerged.

The name comes from the German verb pfeifen, to whistle: tower guards kept long, thin pipes to sound warnings of fire or attack. They lived in rooms on the tower's lower floors. The post of Türmer was abolished in Ingolstadt on 1 March 1938, after fire alarms were introduced. Every two weeks the Pfeifturmbläser brass group plays on the tower, and on New Year's Eve a fanfare announces the new year.

The viewing gallery at 45 metres is reached by 201 steps and has been open to visitors since the tower's thorough restoration in 2006. The tower stands in the Moritzstraße directly beside the Moritzkirche, in the old town centre. The Pfeifturmbläser brass group plays on the tower every two weeks and greets the New Year from it on Silvester night.

The name comes from the watchmen's whistle signals that warned of dangers acoustically, a practice that lasted until 1938. This traditional warning method was only replaced when electronic sirens and alarm systems became available.