Burkarder Tor

Had the Burkarder Tor always been this quiet? I find it hard to believe, standing here before it, that this gate once pulsed with the lifeblood of Würzburg. This very spot, the Burkarder Tor, was once the main artery connecting the Mainviertel to the south. Imagine the creak of wooden wagons, the clatter of hooves on cobblestones, the shouts of merchants and the laughter of children echoing through this passage. The Burkarder Tor, erected in 1680 as part of Antonio Petrini’s bastion fortifications, stands as a testament to Würzburg’s rich history. It takes its name from the Bastion St. Burkard, which the gate traverses. Notice the two lions proudly holding the coat of arms of Prince-Bishop Peter Philipp von Dernbach in the triangular gable above the rusticated portal. Interestingly, unlike other city gates, there’s no small guardhouse perched above the gable. Old photographs reveal a vanished gatehouse, a fleeting reminder of what once was. The Burkarder Tor’s design, a long, curved passageway, wasn’t just for show. Its westward-facing embrasures and single side casemate tell a tale of defense, a time when the city needed protection. That barred eastern window near the facade might trick you into thinking it’s another casemate, but it’s a clever ruse. Behind it lies only a small, blind room. Originally, the bridge spanning the moat was made of wood. It wasn’t until 1757/58 that it was rebuilt in stone. This impressive structure, 58 meters long with seven arches, accommodated the boats that once navigated the canal. A drawbridge at the gate itself and another south of the canal crossing provided additional security measures, a feature common to all six of Würzburg’s bridge gates. By the 1960s, the expansion of Saalgasse alleviated the traffic burden on the Burkarder Tor. However, before this, all traffic to the south had to squeeze through this narrow passage. The city even received permission in 1907 to add sidewalks to ease congestion. Later, in 1937, a more drastic solution was needed. The casemate next to the passage, used as a lumber store, was transformed into a pedestrian walkway. The outer wall was breached, and a wooden walkway was added alongside the bridge. The Burkarder Tor didn’t escape the ravages of war. During the bombing of Würzburg on March 16, 1945, the gate arches were destroyed. Yet, amidst the devastation, remnants of the past clung on. The keystone face of the south gate survived, along with the bridge on the south side and its pedestrian walkway and the pedestrian passage of the western casemate. Though scarred by time and conflict, the Burkarder Tor still stands. It whispers tales of bustling trade, strategic defense, and the enduring spirit of Würzburg.