Hexenturm, Fortified tower in Burg, Germany

Hexenturm is a round stone tower built into Burg's city walls, featuring narrow defensive openings called arrow slits. A dungeon approximately 6 meters (20 feet) deep beneath the structure served as a holding space during medieval times.

The tower was built in the 11th century, probably with a square plan, and was given its round form towards the end of the 15th century. Its arrow slits indicate use as a watch and defensive tower. From the early 17th century, during Burg's witch trials, it served as a prison for accused women, a function it kept until 1846.

The tower earned its name during the 17th century when women accused of witchcraft were held in its underground chambers. Visitors walking through the dungeon can sense how this dark chapter shaped the building's identity and local memory.

You can arrange guided tours through the Tourist Information office in Burg to explore the tower's interior. It is best to contact ahead to confirm opening times and access conditions for your visit.

The tower kept its function as a women's prison until 1846, when a new court with an attached prison was built on Hainstraße in Burg. Plans to demolish the unused tower were repeatedly drawn up but never carried out. Conservationists restored it in 1985, and the year is marked on the tower's spire.