Iron Tower (Eisenturm), Mainz

The Iron Tower (Eisenturm) in Mainz is a medieval structure that dates back to the early 13th century, with modifications made in the 15th century. Originally built as part of the city’s fortifications, the tower served as a watchtower and a gateway into Mainz. It was one of 34 gate towers and watchtowers that helped protect the city. Its name is derived from the Iron Market (Eisenmarkt), which took place nearby until the 19th century.

The Iron Tower has a rich historical context. Mainz, known as Mogontiacum during Roman times, was fortified with walls and towers, a practice that continued into the medieval period. After the walls were destroyed in 1160 due to political conflicts, they were rebuilt around 1200, and the Iron Tower was constructed during this period of renewed fortification. It featured a Romanesque gateway adorned with symbolic carvings of lions, representing both secular and ecclesiastical power.

In the 15th century, the tower was raised to six stories, and it later transitioned into a gaol. It housed prisoners, including figures from the March Revolution of 1848/49. Despite plans to demolish it in 1900, it was saved by the Mainz Association of Antiquities and became city property in 1905. Over time, it served various purposes, including a painter’s studio and living quarters.

Badly damaged in World War II, the tower was restored in the 1960s. Today, it is a vibrant cultural space, home to the Mainz Iron Tower Art Association (Kunstverein Eisenturm Mainz), which hosts art exhibitions and awards a prize in its name. The tower also houses other organizations and can be visited during European Heritage Days.