Fleckenmauer Dalsheim, Medieval defensive wall in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Germany.
The Fleckenmauer is a medieval defensive wall that winds around the village center of Dalsheim and is topped with seven preserved towers. The structure consists of thick stone blocks and demonstrates the solid construction methods used when it was built.
The wall was built at the end of the 15th century as a single structure around the village of Dalsheim, which never held town rights. In 1840 the two entrance gates were demolished and the moat filled in, with the gained land used for gardens. Restoration took place from 1986 to 1990, and the wall has been a protected monument since 1 October 1902.
The wall's name comes from "Flecken", the term for a village settlement without city rights, and it is the only almost fully preserved medieval village fortification in Rheinhessen. Since 1988 a Fleckenmauerfest has been held every four years to mark the restoration. Guided tours open part of the wall walk.
The Obertorturm, a round tower with keyhole shooting slits, has an entrance at street level that leads up to the wall walk and the northern section of the battlements. The wall walk is only accessible on a guided tour, and the tower's upper section, crenellations and roof are reconstructions from the early 20th century.
The Hexenturm on the west side has a semi-circular plan, slit and keyhole loopholes, a crenellated fighting platform and a conical roof of brick, unlike the flat-topped round towers. Its name, "witches' tower", is not explained in the sources. Seven towers survive in all, and the wall's upper walkway is partly open on guided tours.
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