Martin Gate

General information:

The "Martinstor" (Martin Gate) is the oldest of both of the surviving gate towers from Freiburg's first fortification, which were built at the beginning of the 13th century. The first written mention of the "Porta Sancti Martini" was in 1238.

Like the other four tower gates the Martin Gate was built in flush with the city wall and connected to wall-walk behind the battlements. On the Eastside of the Martin Gate the opening is still visible about 6 m above ground. Outside the gate was a walled atrium as additional fortification and a bridge over the 12 m wide and 5 m deep moat.

At the end of the 19th century a number of citizens requested the removal of both remaining tower gates. Instead Head Mayor Otto Winterer decided to extend the Martin Gate in 1901. The height of the gate was tripled from 22 to 60 meters and the roof structure was built in style of the 15th century.