The fortress of the Tower of London consists of numerous buildings. While the outer fortress rings were created in three major construction phases over a period of 150 years, the tower has been subject to constant expansion and renovation since the 12th century. The architecture was adapted to the changing uses of the fortress over the centuries. While numerous buildings were built, rebuilt and demolished inside the fortress, the buildings inside the walls were mainly redesigned many times.
In addition to the striking keep of the White Tower in the middle of the fortress, the tower contains a moat, two entire wall rings and a wall ring that has been preserved in parts. These have over twenty preserved towers and gates. The casemates, which are still used today as living quarters, can be found in the walls. Inside the fortress, most of the buildings erected in the 19th century serve as administrative buildings and museums.
Formed the wall of the first phase of the tower to become a fortress. Enclosed the area south of the White Tower. Only parts of it survived today: the southern part of the inner fortress ring - there, however, almost all of the masonry from the 19th century - Wardrobe Tower, Coldharbour Gate, and a piece of wall north of the Bloody Tower.
Due to earthworks, the lower parts are no longer visible. Originally about five meters high. In the following centuries the top was raised several times and the lower part was filled in.
Casemates in the outer fortress ring
1853
Living quarters of the Yeomen Warders
Living quarters of the Yeomen Warders
Structurally connected to the outer wall. Design by Anthony Salvin. Should be in the style of the London street construction before the Great Fire of London.
Originally "Garden Tower". Was given its current name because it was used as a prison for later execution victims. Allegedly several murders also took place there.
Was given its name ("Traitor's Gate") because most of the prisoners and subsequent execution victims were transported across the Thames to the Tower and had to pass through the gate.
Stands in place of the former main gate from the city to the tower. Often used as a prison. Contains some of the most impressive wall carvings by prisoners.
Newly built in place of the old tower. The great tower fire of 1841 broke out in the tower, which also destroyed the Grand Storehouse. Some medieval components have been preserved on the ground floor.
One of the parts of the tower's building that was often used as a prison. Contains a prisoner's astronomical clock intricately carved into a wall in the 16th century.
Probably originally connected to the Iron Gate on the other side of the trench, which no longer exists. So formed the gate from the east side of the tower into the tower.
Stood where the Waterloo Barracks are today . Largest single building ever built in the tower. The fire that destroyed the Grand Storehouse destroyed larger parts of the tower.
Multi-storey building that occupied the south of the inner fortress; between Wakefield Tower and Salt Tower. In the course of the re-medievalization of the tower, it was torn down and replaced by today's pseudo-medieval wall at this point.
Was next to the Ordnance Office building. In the course of the re-medievalization of the tower, it was torn down and replaced by today's pseudo-medieval wall at this point.
Located south of the White Tower. Single story building whose sole purpose was to present the Line of Kings; an exhibition of figures of all English kings on horseback in armor with weapons.
Demolished and rebuilt in 1898. Burnt down in the London Blitz in 1940, final demolition in 1944.
Large guard house, office, warehouse, lounge, canteen.
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Guard house for an older storage building and parts of the medieval fortress wall were integrated into its construction. After the last demolition, the fortress wall is exposed again.
literature
Simon Bradley, Nikolaus Pevsner: London 1, The city of London , Penguin, London 1997, ISBN 0140710922
Edward Impey and Geoffrey Parnell: The Tower of London. The official illustrated history , Merrell, London 2000, 128 pp., ISBN 1-85894-106-7
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