High watchtower (Waiblingen)

High watchtower with city wall

The high watchtower is located on the edge of the old town, directly on the city wall in the Baden-Württemberg city of Waiblingen . The building is protected as a cultural monument according to § 28 DSchG .

history

The tower is historically older than the Waiblingen city wall. This was only added later, in the 13th century, to the tower on two sides.

The base of the tower was erected in 1250 at the latest. The masonry above was built around 1500. After a fire in 1863, the gable roof was changed and the upper part of the tower was built in its current form. A stone balustrade was also installed at a height of 21.5 m. The current wooden staircase inside the tower dates from the middle of the 20th century.

The building

The tower has a height of 45 m to the top. It is 37 m to the roof ridge. The square base is 7 × 7 m. The balustrade is at a height of 21.5 m.

It stands 243 m above sea level . There are 101 steps to the top of the tower and 126 steps to the tower room.

use

Today the tower is used for viewing. The balustrade offers a panoramic view of the city.

The Achim-von-Arnim-Stube and Staufermythos exhibition rooms in Waiblingen also exist in the tower . There is also a wedding room in the tower .

Others

Eduard Mörike once called Waiblingen "The city with the three towers". With these towers, in addition to the high watchtower, the Beinstein gate tower and the tower of the Michaelskirche were meant.

The tower is open to visitors on weekends. During the week the key can be borrowed from the tourist information.

In front of the tower there is a Staufer stele with a height of 260 cm and a diameter of approx. 80 cm.