Iphofen in Kitzingen, Bavaria, Germany — Central Europe

The Owls' Tower

Eulenturm

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 14, 2012

1. The Owls' Tower Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[Marker text in German:]
Bauzeit um 1500. Gefängnisturm für lebenlänglich Verurteilte, auch „Faulturm” genannt, weil die eingekerkerten nach ihrem Ableben nicht selten darin verfaulten. Zudem Pulverturm der Stadt und Wachturm: „So der türmer ein gerenn im Felde und sonst was feindschaft betrifft ersieht, soll er in die drummelte sto ßen und dies anzeigen”.

[Marker text translated into English, more or less:]
Built around 1500. A prison tower for those sentenced to life imprisonment. Also called the "Rotting Tower" because prisoners were left to rot after their expiration. It was said of this tower, as well as the city's powder- and watch-towers: "Should the watchman make his rounds and encounter some hostility, he need only to point to these towers".

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1500.

Location. 49° 42.14′ N, 10° 15.798′ E. Marker is in Iphofen, Bayern (Bavaria), in Kitzingen. Marker is on Birkingerstrasse, 0.1 kilometers west of Einersheimerstrasse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Iphofen BY 97346, Germany. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ilmbacher Hof (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Einersheimer Gate (about 120 meters away); Tithe Tower (about 180 meters away); Ebracher House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Iphofen City Hall (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Mainbernheimer Gate (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Alte Synagoge / Former Synagogue (approx. 8.1 kilometers away); Home of Friedrich von Deuster (approx. 8.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iphofen.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted chest-height on a pole along the greenbelt pathway that follows the outside edge of the moat along the city's walls. There is a parking lot nearby close to the intersection of Einersheimerstrasse and Birkingerstrasse. This view of the tower, from just outside the city walls, may be the closest approach to the tower, as the inside approach to the tower is blocked by a number of houses built up against the city walls. Hence the location of this marker, somewhat removed from its subject.

Additional keywords. jail prison

The Owls' Tower and Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 14, 2012

2. The Owls' Tower and Marker - wide view

The Owls' Tower, as seen from the Einersheimer Gatehouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 14, 2012

3. The Owls' Tower, as seen from the Einersheimer Gatehouse

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 433 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.