Westerturm, Gate tower in Duderstadt, Germany.
The Westerturm is a gate tower of Duderstadt's medieval city wall, marked by its distinctive twisted roof. The structure sits at the western entrance to the old town and stands amid lanes that lead toward the two main churches.
The tower was built in 1343 as part of the city's medieval fortifications. A fire in 1424 caused significant damage, leading to extended reconstruction that took over a decade before full restoration was complete.
The name refers to the cardinal direction and the tower's role as the western guardian of the city. Today, locals and visitors use the area around it as a meeting point and landmark when exploring the old town on foot.
Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the architectural details and any viewpoints available from the tower. The location on Market Street makes it easy to reach on foot while exploring the surrounding historic lanes at a relaxed pace.
The tower's twisted roof has sparked local legends, including stories about a stuck weather vane and supernatural events. These tales reveal how people made sense of the unusual roof shape through folklore passed down over centuries.
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