Tour-porte de l'Hôpital civil de Strasbourg, Medieval gate tower in Strasbourg, France.
The Tour-porte de l'Hôpital civil is a 13th-century gate tower at the site of Strasbourg's medieval hospital. The structure displays fortification features from that era, which remain visible from outside today.
The tower emerged around 1300 as a fortified entrance to the hospital grounds and was part of Strasbourg's medieval defense network. Its role in city protection changed as the city modernized and the medical facility developed.
The tower reflects how medieval Strasbourg linked healthcare and security together. Visitors can still see in the building's design that healing and protection were equally important at this location.
The tower sits at Place de l'Hôpital and can be viewed from outside at any time. For interior visits, plan to come during Heritage Days when the building opens specifically for this purpose.
A 1775 engraving by Jean-Martin Weis shows how the tower once appeared and preserves its original appearance. This old image gives visitors a glimpse into earlier architectural details that have since vanished.
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