“Is this the Ochsentor Plaque?” I ask you. Right here before us stands a small yet significant piece of Durlach’s history. This unassuming enamel plaque marks the spot of the Ochsentor one of Durlach’s four city gates. It was also known as the Pfinztor. This gate formed the opening in the city fortifications facing north. Ochsentor Street is named after this very gate.
The Ochsentor’s story is one of destruction and rebirth. The original gate met its end in the great fire of 1689. It was later rebuilt in 1751. Imagine the artisans meticulously replacing the damaged stones. They rebuilt the gate bringing back its grandeur. For over a century the Ochsentor served as a vital part of Durlach. Until 1779 its key was kept at the Blumentor.
The gate remained locked at night. This was a security measure in those less peaceful times. After 1779 it was left open until 1845 when it was finally demolished. Think of the many people who passed through this gate. Soldiers merchants travelers. Their stories are forever intertwined with the Ochsentor.
Even in its absence its legacy endures. In 1984 during construction workers discovered the old bridge arches. They were underneath the modern bridge. The arches spanned the Stadtgraben later called the Steckgraben. These arches are a silent testament to the Ochsentor’s foundations. They’re a reminder of the city’s rich past.
The old gatehouse remained. Built around 1800 it stood as a guardian before the Ochsentor. It’s a two-story structure. It’s made of plastered rubble-stone masonry. It has a gabled roof. At one point this historic structure faced demolition. Fortunately concerned citizens and preservation efforts intervened. This saved a piece of Durlach’s heritage. The gatehouse remains as one of the last visible remnants of Durlach’s gate system. It reminds us of the enduring strength of Durlach’s history. It’s a fitting tribute to the Ochsentor. We stand here at a crossroads. We’re at the edge of what once was a bustling entrance. We’re at the beginning of a journey to explore further. So let’s move on.