Wasemer Tower (City Gate)

The Wasemer Tower, which was formerly known as the “Gaseler” or “Baseller Turm” (1659) and “Waßer Turm” (1705), was the second highest defensive tower in the fortified city after the keep of the Rheinbacher Burg (the now free-standing witch's tower). It was used as a prison in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The tower is now in the city center on Martinstrasse and Prümer Wall; originally it was part of the medieval city fortifications. Erected from quarry stone and partly from Roman cast masonry that had been won from the dismantling of the Roman canal that previously crossed the city area, it stood on the southwest corner of the city wall, which was demolished in 1820. The three-storey tower has unusually massive walls, an internal staircase and two chimneys. Access was via the ramparts of the city wall. A massive crenellated wreath has been replaced by a roof hood in modern times.

Sorry, the Wasemer Tower is not the Hexenturm. The latter is located at the city archives, behind the Himmeroder Wall.