Sandkaultor

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Sandkaultor in 1790

The Sandkaultor was a city ​​gate built in the north-northeast of the 13th and 14th century city ​​wall of the imperial city of Aachen . The building was demolished in 1811.

location

The former town gate Sandkaultor was separated from the mountain gate by the Bergerschanzturm within the town wall . On the opposite side, the Heinzenturm and the Schänzchen separated the building from the Kölntor city ​​gate . It was one of the side gates of the city fortifications.

particularities

The gate had the highest gate tower of all Aachen city gates. The unusual construction results from a military necessity. From the top of the tower, the guards had an excellent view of both the Soers valley and the Salvatorberg . This enabled one of the most likely directions of attack of a potential enemy to be controlled.

Construction

The Sandkaultor had a bailey with two small square towers and was built on several floors. There was a tour at the level of the fourth floor, i.e. directly below the top of the tower. The large square tower was lined on the outside by two small round towers. Some sources only mention a round tower. Walls provided with loopholes secured the passage.

history

Napoléon Bonaparte decided in 1804 that Aachen should lose its military importance. The city wall, the city gates and the city towers were then razed. In 1811 the demolition of the Sandkaultore began. A new city gate, which was named Porte Madame in honor of Napoleon's mother, was erected at the same location , but in 1875 it was demolished by the Prussians.

Coordinates: 50 ° 46 '54.1 "  N , 6 ° 5' 16.8"  E

literature

See also