The bird tower, the symbol of the city of Vilseck, was built into the city wall as a gate tower in 1466 and a porch was added in 1568. The southwest side is adorned with a stone coat of arms of the bishopric of Bamberg. In 1905, the coat of arms of the Prince-Bishop of Bamberg and Elector of Mainz Franz Lothar, Count of Schönborn, was walled in on the northeast side. In 2000 the "First German Tower Museum" was opened here. Everyday life and culture, especially those of the Upper Palatinate towers, are presented on three floors. In their dual function as guardians and musicians, they played an important role in their respective communities from the 15th to the 20th century. In addition to contemporary documents, the music of the tower keepers can also be experienced in the museum. You can also see two smoking rooms, the intact clockwork and a dress from 1848, which Lola Montez presumably left behind on the run with Elias Peißner, the Vilseck turret son.