Hexenturm, Medieval defense tower in Memmingen, Germany.
The Hexenturm is a rectangular defense tower in Memmingen with tuff stone at its base and brick construction in the upper sections, topped by a gabled roof. It stands on the northern edge of the old town district and forms a distinctive part of the medieval town wall.
The tower was built around 1150 during the city's founding period and served as one of three prison towers in medieval Memmingen's defense system. It played an important role in protecting and controlling the northern entrance to the city.
The name Hexenturm refers to the witch trials that took place in Bavaria during the 16th and 17th centuries. Visitors today can sense how this dark name shapes the place's identity and connects it to a troubling past.
The tower leans toward the northeast due to sandy ground conditions and is stabilized by steel cables attached to the adjacent Welfenhaus. Visitors should be aware of this tilt, which makes the interior feel distinctive when you enter.
The entrance sits approximately 5 meters above ground level at the height of the former defensive walkway that once connected to the now-vanished Notzen Gate. This elevated position reveals how visitors once accessed the tower and offers a glimpse into the lost defensive structure.
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