Rinnentorturm (Bensheim)
The Rinnentorturm , often also referred to as the Rinnentor , is a gate tower and cultural monument in Bensheim an der Bergstrasse .
function
The Rinnentorturm is a remnant of the medieval city fortifications that were built in the 13th and 14th centuries to secure the city of Bensheim. The gully gate, so it is assumed today, was supposed to secure the western outflow of the Lauter from the city. Originally the gutter gate consisted of a central structure with high arched openings and key notches in the western wall of the battlements . Today's Rinnentorturm was added to the north, and the security building further south. In the first half of the 18th century, the Lauter was relocated to the north and the southern city wall torn down to create a western exit to the city. In 1885, at the instigation of some citizens, this city gate was demolished up to the current Rinnentorturm. The reasons given were traffic problems (too narrow a passage for carriages) and an alleged dilapidation. The city of Bensheim gave up one of its landmarks. A loss that was soon realized and that is still present in the consciousness of many Bensheim citizens today.
The gutter gate tower today
The Gutter Gate Tower is built in yellow sandstone . It has a square structure up to about half its height. A round arch frieze on consoles leads upwards in an octagonal shape. It is closed at the top by a pointed helmet , which is covered with red beaver tails and has a knob at the top. A remnant piece of the central building is still present to the south. In the north you can clearly see the demolition point of the former city wall. There is a round arch niche on the ground floor. In the east there is a flight of stairs that leads to a pointed arched closed portal. The upper floor has small rectangular openings. The arched openings in the battlement were walled up.
meaning
As one of the few remains of Bensheim's medieval defenses, the Rinnentorturm has a special historical value. The Rinnentorturm is under monument protection posed cultural monument .
The Rinnentorturm then and now
The gutter gate on a watercolor from 1850
The gutter gate in a photo taken before 1885
(view inside the city wall to the west)
The gutter gate in 1906
The west side
The south side
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Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c cultural monuments in Hessen: Rinnentorturm , accessed on April 15, 2008
Web links
- State Office for Monument Preservation Hessen (Ed.): Rinnentorturm In: DenkXweb, online edition of cultural monuments in Hessen
Coordinates: 49 ° 40 ′ 48 ″ N , 8 ° 37 ′ 14 ″ E