Marienturm, Medieval fortified tower in Aachen, Germany
The Marienturm is a heavily fortified tower in Aachen featuring massive walls and multiple weapon openings at different levels. The structure combines a circular base with a squared reinforcement facing the city side.
The tower was built in 1512 to replace an older fortification and provide defense against cannon attacks. Its thick walls were designed to withstand the new weapons of the military age.
The tower served as a landmark of the city's defense and reflects a time when it and surrounding walls protected residents from attacks. Today, the visible traces on its walls tell stories of sieges and conflicts that shaped the area.
The tower sits in northern Aachen next to the Ponttor gate and is easy to reach on foot. Its location near the city center makes it a natural stop when exploring the medieval defenses.
The walls bear clear dents and marks from cannonballs during a 1638 siege, bringing the tower's military past directly to the eye. These visible impact scars are original evidence of when such structures were still active battlegrounds.
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