The Watch-Tower or Dungeon

Overview

The upper story of the watch-tower no longer exists. The engraving from 1643 depicts it with a romanesque style border, a pinnacle wreath and a pointed helmet. The tower was built about 1200-1230. The ground level entrance from the inner courtyard, however, was constructed during the 20th Century.
Watch-towers were erected at the highest and most endangered part of the castle complex. This one was about 20 meters high and the walls are 3 meters thick. It was the last refuge and defence post and could not be entered from ground level. The entrance on the eastern side is 8,5 meters above the earth and could only be reached with a ladder, which could be pulled up by danger. The watch-tower could also be reached by the battlement on the shield wall. The upper story of the watch-tower was used as a room for the guards. Beneath it there were two simple wooden stories and at the bottom the dungeon for prisoners.

Prisoners at Hohennagold 

One legend tells a tale which supposedly took place during the 10th Century: King Berenger and his wife were captured in Italy and given to a Count of Hohenberg. The couple was to be imprisoned for the rest of their lives in the very secure Castle Hohennagold.
During the Peasants‘ War, Dr. Johann Mantel was in Hohennagold from August 1523 until April 1525. Previous to the Reformation, he preached the new doctrine in Stuttgart and was punished with imprisonment at Hohennagold. The rebellious peasants surrounding Nagold and the people of Nagold freed Mantel in April 1525.