Untertor, Medieval city gate in Büdingen, Germany
The Untertor is a medieval city gate in Büdingen featuring two defensive towers topped with stone domes and multiple crossbow slits along its walls. The decorated parapets display fish-bladder tracery patterns and lion gargoyles, while the interior now houses the Sandrosen Museum.
Built in 1503 as part of Count Ludwig II's fortification strategy, the gate served as a key defensive element for the town. A drawbridge spanning the moat enhanced its defensive capabilities and controlled entry into the city.
The gate became known as the Jerusalem Gate when Protestant refugees arriving in 1521 called it their Jerusalem while seeking shelter in the town. The name still reflects this period of religious sanctuary and the gateway's role in offering protection to those fleeing persecution.
The gate stands at the western entrance to the old town and marks the beginning of the medieval area. Visiting the museum inside provides a good starting point for exploring the historic town walls and the medieval streets beyond.
The towers originally contained eighteen shooting positions designed for seated archers using crossbows. These narrow slits measured 20 centimeters (8 inches) high and provided a 90-degree horizontal firing range for effective defense.
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