Hausmannsturm, tower in Helmstedt, Germany
The Hausmannsturm is a square tower standing about 36 meters (118 feet) tall with a pointed roof covered in tiles. The tower is built from brick and sandstone blocks and features a vaulted passageway with a pointed arch that once allowed people and carts to pass through. On the west side, a late Gothic relief sculpture depicts the Coronation of Mary, while the top of the roof has four small dormer windows that give the tower its distinctive shape.
The tower was first mentioned in historical records around 1286 and took on its current appearance during the first half of the 15th century as the final gate in Helmstedt's defensive ring. It was part of a system of eight towers along the city wall, of which only four remain today.
The tower gets its name from the Hausmann, the city guard who once lived here and used his horn to warn residents of dangers or announce special occasions with music. This tradition continues today when the horn is still played every Saturday at noon from the tower.
The tower is located on Neumärker Straße in the city center of Helmstedt and is easily accessible on foot. The area around the tower is flat and the streets are pedestrian-friendly, making it simple to view the structure from outside without difficulty.
The Hausmann, the tower guard, lived directly inside the tower with two assistants and an apprentice, ready to sound alarms or announce the hour at any moment. His horn calls were so central to the town's daily life that the tradition persists today, and people from near and far make a point of hearing the Saturday horn signal.
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