Imagine the hustle and bustle of a bustling medieval marketplace. Merchants hawking their wares, the clinking of coins, and the chatter of people going about their daily lives. Now picture yourself standing right here, at the Obertor, the imposing gateway to the upper town of Meersburg. The Obertor, built around 1300, was once the main entrance to the town. It was a strategic point, guarding the entrance to the upper town, a bastion for merchants and citizens alike.
This imposing stone structure, with its pointed archway and sturdy towers, stood as a formidable defense against any unwelcome visitors. Back in the day, this was the spot where travelers had to show their papers and pay tolls.
The Meersburger were strict about their city gates. Every traveler was required to check in. Taxes were levied at each gate. A bridge house was built in front of the Obertor, but it was sadly demolished in 1838.
In 1902, the Obertor was partly renovated. And just think, in 1477, this very gate was adorned with a city clock! You can imagine the residents gathered here, checking the time as it ticked by.
The presence of a city clock was a big deal. It signaled a shift in power. The church no longer held the sole authority on timekeeping. It was a symbol of the growing civic pride of Meersburg. You can almost hear the town clock chiming through the centuries, a testament to the history of this magnificent town.