Western Gate Tower

Most towns and cities could not get by without a protective wall encircling them during the Middle Ages, and Wernigerode was no exception. The imposing fortifications comprised more than 30 half-round towers and four sets of double tower gates. The Western Gate Tower is the only surviving example, and is exactly 41 point 18 metres tall.First documented evidence of the Western Gate Tower appears in records dating from 1279. This was the year that citizens of the town purchased the entire fortification complex, which had up to that point been controlled by the counts of Wernigerode. Thereafter, the town’s citizens were able to levy customs duties themselves...