Imagine being a soldier in the 14th century. You are standing guard at the Plauer Torturm. This tower is a key part of Brandenburg an der Havel’s defenses. It protected the western entrance to the Altstadt.
The Plauer Torturm stands tall. It is a round tower built in the 1300s. It was once connected to a gate that was torn down in the 19th century. Look closely. You can see where the city wall once met the tower on Wallstrasse.
Notice the narrow slits. These are for archers. They could fire crossbows in any direction. High on the west side is a projecting structure. That is where the guardroom used to be. A privy or Aborterker is visible. It indicates the location of the guardroom. A 40-meter-long gate once stretched toward Nikolaiplatz. It crossed two moats with two arched bridges.
The Plauer Torturm has changed over time. In 1928, an expressionistic jagged crown was added. A brick cone with a wrought-iron stork’s nest was also added. These were restored in 1985. Other Romanesque-style additions have since been removed.
The Plauer Torturm is also known as the Luckenberger Torturm. This name comes from the village of Luckenberg. It was located about 500 meters from the gate. The village likely stood between the Nikolaikirche and the Havel’s north bank. The name Plauer Torturm is more common today. It relates to Plauer Strasse. This road leads west to the town of Plaue.
The Plauer Torturm is about 17 meters high to the current Zinnenkranz. In the 1500s, a timber frame structure topped the tower. This is now gone. During Brandenburg an der Havel’s millennium celebration, the tower got its Zinnenkranz and pointed roof. The base is made of brick with a 1.20-meter-high fieldstone foundation. Unlike the Rathenower Torturm, the Plauer Torturm is simple. It has little decoration.
To the northwest, a projecting oriel is visible. It has an open outlet below. This served as a toilet for the tower’s occupants. A passage led to the former gate from Plauer Strasse. The Plauer gate connected the Altstadt’s southwest wall ring. It ran toward the Havel, Salzhofufer, and the New Gate. About 150 meters northwest was a defensive tower. It strengthened the wall ring against the Marienberg. About 200 meters further was the Rathenower Tor.
The Plauer Torturm’s exact construction date is unknown. It was likely part of the defense system. This included the stone city wall and double ramparts. Some medieval images show no double gate. But it is believed that the Plauer Tor was well-fortified.
In 1403, Johann von Quitzow attacked the Altstadt. He used the Nikolaikirche for cover. The Altstadt council learned of the plans. The citizens ambushed the robber knight. They drove him away.
Until May 1945, the Plauer Torturm was part of the buildings on Plauer Strasse. A large corbel supported a timber-framed house. Careless arson by Soviet soldiers destroyed it. It also destroyed the entire northern street row. A passage went under the timber-framed house. Today, a red brick strip marks the northwest wall ring. The southwest wall ring to the former St. Johannis Monastery is still intact. Several niches held scaffolding beams. Today, they contain clay animal sculptures. These were made by Horst Wall.
Today, the tower is not open to the public. The Plauer Torturm remains closed for safety reasons. The Rathenower Torturm, Neustädtischer Muehlentorturm and Steintorturm can be visited.
The Plauer Torturm stands as a reminder of Brandenburg an der Havel’s rich history. It has witnessed centuries of change. It remains a symbol of the city’s resilience.