Rotunde, building in Hann. Münden, Germany
The Rotunde is a round defensive structure in Hann. Münden originally built in the 1540s as part of the city's fortifications. The building measures roughly 17 meters across, features thick stone walls, and has a distinctive pointed roof supported by wooden beams that was reslated during restoration work in the 1980s.
The Rotunde was completed in 1546 under Duke Erich I as a guard tower for the Oberes Tor, the main southern entrance to the medieval city. After the main gate was demolished in 1776, it lost its military purpose and was later used as brewery storage and for hearse wagons before being converted into a memorial for war casualties in the twentieth century.
The building now serves as a memorial space honoring those who died in the world wars and victims of violence between 1933 and 1945. Visitors come here to reflect on the city's difficult past and pay respects to those remembered within its walls.
The building is open year-round for outside viewing and can be easily reached via Lange Street, with parking at Feuerteich nearby. Access is partly possible, though the paved path can be uneven, and wheelchair access is limited to certain areas only.
Inside are historical artifacts including old cannons, decorated wooden beams from past buildings, ancient tiles, and stone ornaments collected by historian Burkhart Klapp. These objects document the city's everyday history, and there are ongoing discussions about displaying them in a future exhibition.
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