Water Tower (Götzenturm) Hainburg

Water Tower (Idol Tower), Hainburg
The Götzenhof in the north-eastern area of the city was traditionally owned by the so-called Lords of Röthelstein, named after the extensive castle and fortifications located about 2 km downstream on a steep rocky massif above the Danube. Incidentally, Röthelstein Castle was built around the middle of the 12th century. Founded in the 13th century by the Sonnberg family, who originally sat in the central castle on the Schlossberg. They were among the most powerful city ministers in Hainburg. The Götzenhof served them primarily as a power base in the city, as well as for managing their huge possessions and fishing grounds in the opposite Danube meadows, and undoubtedly also for Danube trade. The only, but extremely monumental, remnant of the Götzenhof is the one from the first half or shortly after the middle of the 13th century. Built, octagonal idol tower, it forms the northeast corner of the city fortifications. Its 1st and 2nd floors fulfilled exclusively military tasks (especially covering the nearby harbor area), while the 3rd floor, with its late Romanesque double windows, undoubtedly served a representative residential function. The adjoining eastern city wall is probably one of the few places in the city fortifications that, similar to the Vienna and Hungarian Gates and the curtain wall of the castle, had an external defensive gallery from which the attackers could be fought effectively from above.
This information was kindly provided by Mr. Mag. Scholz and Mr. MMag. R. Woldron provided. Many thanks to the Monument Office, the Vienna City and State Archives, the Boltzmann Institute and the Lower Austrian State Archives.
Text / Source: Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH, Schlossgasse 3, A-3620 Spitz/Donau
donau.com/de/roemerland-carnuntum-marchfeld/imx/ausflug-freizeit/der-wasserturm/e30b7b356921629ae2dc8079dbed134b

The water tower stands mightily dominating here at the foot of the Danube. The octagonal water tower is also called the idol tower - it can be visited.

Impressive fortification, the visit is also worthwhile.