Jungfernturm, Defense tower in Altstadt-Lehel, Germany.
The Jungfernturm was a cylindrical defensive tower topped with a steeply pitched roof that extended semicircularly beyond the outer city wall into the surrounding water moat. Its structure featured no windows, only arrow slits for defense, and could be entered exclusively from the city side.
Built in 1493 as part of Munich's defensive walls, this tower occupied the space between the inner and outer city fortifications. It stood for more than 3 centuries before being torn down in 1804 as the city's defensive needs changed.
The tower's name carries dark stories about its rumored use as an execution site with a legendary killing device. Local folklore tied these tales to condemned prisoners and shaped how people remembered this structure over centuries.
Today this tower no longer exists, but its history can be explored through information and records in the Altstadt-Lehel district. Visiting the neighborhood allows you to see other sections of Munich's medieval defenses and understand how the city developed.
During the 18th century, this structure served as a storage space for theatrical sets from the nearby electoral court theater. This unexpected use reveals how the city's fortifications were adapted for purposes far removed from their original defensive role.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
