1386Construction of the Leonhard Tower

The building, which was “begun in the year of our Lord 1386 on the day of St. Mark (April 25)”, is the only gate tower of the medieval fortifications still standing today. We owe the exact year of construction to the Gothic inscription in the pointed stone arch above the 6-metre-high entrance to the tower. At that time, access was from the town wall.

The tower, a landmark of the city, has a height of 27 m, which corresponds exactly to the circumference of the round tower at the base. The diameter is 8.60 m, the wall thickness 2.40 m, the top platform is 21.25 m high, on top of which is a cone, which is another 6.20 m high, crowned by a wagon wheel with a stork’s nest on top, which also explains the popular name “Storksnäst”. The tower was a combination of lookout and watchtower, which also had a defensive function, as evidenced by the embrasures. It was also used as a prison, with prisoners being lowered through a hole in the lowest vault by means of a reel.

The popular name “Lennert” is derived from the linen weavers’ guild that was obliged to maintain the tower. (MNic)