Reichenbacher Tower (Görlitz)

The Reichenbach Tower is a preserved part of the western city fortifications of Görlitz. At 51 meters, it is the tallest of the city's three surviving watchtowers and defense towers (the other two are the Nikolaiturm and the Dicke Turm). Only the town hall tower towers over it with a height of 63 meters.

It is the highest of the three surviving watchtowers at Görlitz. It was first mentioned in 1376. In 1936, during the renovation work, steel anchors were embedded in the square section, which are covered by the twelve colored coats of arms.

Reichenbach TowerFirst mentioned in 1376, the tower has been rebuilt several times. Until 1848, it and the adjacent entrance to the city were connected to the Kaisertrutz by two high shield walls. The pedestrian passage in the tower was not built until 1869. After tension anchors were installed to ensure the stability of the tower, the Görlitz painter Arno Henschel was commissioned to create the coats of arms. These show the coats of arms of the countries to which Görlitz has belonged over the course of its history in the top row and the coats of arms of the six cities below.In 1376 it was first mentioned in documents as a tower to protect the western city gate. 1485 the battlement was built around the upper part, topped off with a slender wooden spire. 1521 the large roundel (the Kaisertrutz) was connected to the Reichenbach tower and gate by two high shield walls. 1782 the Gothic spire was replaced by a copper Baroque dome. 1869 the pedestrian passageway was built. 1904 the bell rang electronically for the first time.