The smallest of the six surviving defense towers of the Xanten town wall seems rather inconspicuous at first glance and was affectionately called "the turret on the west wall" by its former residents. The round tower made of brick with a gabled roof nestles against the city wall from the outside and is now called the Weberturm, based on an old street name and the mysterious, lost Webertor. For decades, local researchers have tried to locate the Webertor, which is mentioned in old documents. To this day it has not been clarified whether the foundations of the turret actually preserve part of the gate.
The eventful building history goes back to the end of the 14th century, when Xanten received its stone city wall with fortified ramparts. These were later transformed into kitchen and ornamental gardens. Some of the old defense towers, including the Weber Tower, have been rededicated as decorative garden houses. There weren't just glorious times. During World War II, the basement served as an air raid shelter.
Before the surroundings were completely redesigned in 1985, the turret belonged to a nursery and had been surrounded by greenhouses and tool sheds since the 1950s. Since 1974, a private individual took care of the preservation of the building and lived in it until old age.
Today the tower shines in new splendor and can be used by the public for cultural purposes. In the course of the redesign of the spa park, the building was completely renovated and extensively restored. The simple, high-quality furnished rooms on two floors offer space for exclusive events for up to twelve people. The name says it all: In the Weberturm, filigree word structures can be spun at readings, conferences and lectures. The KULTURM on the West Wall.
Source: xanten.de