Beneath its stoic exterior, the Eisenturm whispers tales of Mainz’s rich history. This medieval city tower, dating back to the early 13th century, has witnessed centuries of change. The Eisenturm’s name comes from the iron market once held in its vicinity until the 19th century.
Imagine Mainz encircled by imposing city walls. The Eisenturm along with the Holzturm and the Alexanderturm, stands as one of only three surviving towers. The Eisenturm once functioned as a watchtower and city gate. Later, it served as a prison. The tower suffered heavy damage during World War II. It was reconstructed in the 1960s.
Let’s step back to the late Roman period. Mainz, then known as Mogontiacum, was already fortified. As the Roman Empire weakened around 259/260 AD, the first city wall arose. Around 350 AD, the city walls were shortened. Older building materials were reused to strengthen them. Following the Roman departure, the walls were repaired during the Merovingian and Carolingian eras.
The early medieval city fortifications faced a setback in 1160. After a conflict, citizens killed Archbishop Arnold von Selenhofen. Emperor Frederick I imposed an imperial ban on Mainz in 1163. The city walls and towers were destroyed. However, some historians believe only the gate towers were affected.
Around 1190/1200, Mainz was allowed to rebuild its defenses. It was a strategic ally in the struggle between the Staufer and Welf families. The Eisenturm emerged as one of 34 gate and watchtowers during this construction.
Notice the late Romanesque gate level of the Eisenturm. It features a round-arched portal constructed around 1200. Two sandstone lion sculptures adorn the Rhine side of the round-arched portal. They rest on ornamented imposts above keeled cornerstones. One lion clasps a ram, symbolizing ecclesiastical power. The other holds a mythical creature, representing secular authority.
In the first half of the 15th century, the Eisenturm was raised. Its floors increased to six. The portal lost its function by the late 16th century or possibly earlier. Access shifted to the “Eisentürlein”. This was a smaller structure attached to the Eisenturm.
Until the early 20th century, a wall enclosed the Eisenturm on the Rhine side since the 18th century. Until 1945, smaller half-timbered houses leaned against the Löhrstraße side.
From its construction, the Eisenturm served as a city and gate tower until the 16th century. Its prominent location on the Rhine River made it a focal point. Together with other Rhine-side towers, the Eisenturm created a contrast to Mainz’s many church steeples.
The market of Mainz’s iron traders took place around the Eisenturm. This gave the tower its name. From the 17th century, the upper floors became the main prison. Officers of the Lützow Free Corps were imprisoned in the Eisenturm in 1813. Following the March Revolution, revolutionaries were held here as political prisoners until their acquittal in 1850.
The Eisenturm was nearly demolished in 1900. However, the Mainz Antiquarian Society saved it. In 1905, the city of Mainz acquired the building. The private painting school of Philipp Zeltner and small apartments then found their home in the Eisenturm. Old stone monuments from Mainz’s history were temporarily stored in the courtyard.
The Eisenturm suffered severe destruction during World War II. It burned completely, including the roof structure. In 1958, the Eisenturm was rebuilt with a new slate-covered hipped roof. The surrounding wall was removed in the early 1970s. Reconstructions of the outbuildings and a section of the city wall were added.
Today, the Eisenturm houses the Kunstverein Eisenturm Mainz. Mainz artists use it as a gallery and exhibition space. The Rotaract Club Mainz also resides here. The Eisenturm is open to visitors on the Day of Open Monuments. So the Eisenturm stands not just as a structure, but as a vibrant hub of artistic expression.