Fährenpfortenturm, Medieval defense tower in Hann. Münden, Germany

The Fährenpfortenturm is a medieval stone tower standing in the old district of Hann. Münden that once served to defend the town. It features defensive characteristics typical of its era and forms part of the town's surviving fortification structures.

The tower was first documented in 1410, while the Fährenpforte gate it served was mentioned as early as 1383; a path from the gate led to a ferry across the Fulda. Originally about 26 metres high, like the town's other wall towers, it lost its defensive role when Münden's fortifications were demolished in the early 19th century. In 1848 the entrepreneur Carl Georg August Natermann bought it and had it raised by a third to 40 metres for shot production.

This structure is part of the fortification system that shaped Hann. Münden during medieval times and shows how important such buildings were for the town's development back then. Its position within the old district makes it a place where you can still understand how medieval towns were planned.

The tower stands in the southwest corner of the medieval old town, where the town wall once turned east; the Ziegelpfortenturm is about 75 metres further east. The tower top has served as a viewing platform since 2008. In 2024 it opens at weekends until October, when recurring frit-fly infestation closes it again.

The tower's nickname, Hagelturm (hail tower), comes from its 19th-century use as a shot tower: molten lead was poured through a sieve in the top storey and fell far enough to form round pellets. Carl Georg August Natermann bought the tower in 1848 and raised it by a third, from about 26 to 40 metres, to make this possible.