Castle tower

At a glance:

The western gate tower dates back to around 1250 AD, in the times when Schopfheim was first elevated to town status. The tower was in ruins by the start of the 19^th century. Reconstruction in its present form took place in 1933, linked to the former medieval town castle complex on the right. The “Zum Hans Sachs” restaurant is now located there.

A protective ring surrounded the entire location, consisting of a ring wall with an adjoining moat and rampart wall as the outermost element of the town’s fortifications. Two gate towers with drawbridges were built to guard the entrances – the western gate (beside where the “Zum Hans Sachs” establishment is now located) and the eastern gate (at today’s Torstraße 1). Passing through these gates was the only way to cross the moat and enter the town. It is believed that there were four additional towers (without gates) inside the ring wall that served to secure the town as well. Even the Church of St. Michael’s mighty choir tower, which was built in 1240 and still stands today, is presumed to have played a role in the town’s fortification.