Lost to time but not forgotten the Stadtmauer whispers tales of Erfurt’s resilience. We are standing before remnants of what once was a mighty defense. This is the Stadtmauer. It stood as a testament to Erfurt’s strategic importance. Imagine Erfurt encircled by a strong wall. It stretched for almost eight kilometers. This impressive structure wasn’t built in a day. Its story spans centuries.
The inner Mauerring was erected first. Construction finished around 1066. Erfurt belonged to the Archbishopric of Mainz back then. The city needed protection from the Landgraves of Thuringia. However, Landgrave Ludwig II destroyed this early defense in 1165. But Erfurt recovered quickly. They rebuilt the fortifications even stronger by 1168. This inner wall was formidable. It stood approximately three to four meters tall. It was about one meter thick. Fifty watchtowers guarded it. The Wilde Gera River served as a defensive moat. However, by the 19th century, this Mauerring was torn down. All the inner city gates were gone by 1842. The Wilde Gera was filled. Today, the Juri Gagarin Ring road covers its former path.
Erfurt continued to prosper. By the 13th century, the city needed more space. A new outer Mauerring was built. This expansion included suburban areas to the north, east, and south. The construction of the outer Stadtmauer was financed by a city tax called Wallgeld. New outer city gates appeared between 1350 and 1387. These gates were not connected by a wall yet. The wall was constructed gradually over the following decades. The outer Mauerring was completed in 1480. Later, the city gates were further fortified. Twenty-seven towers were added to guard the Mauerring. A new moat was constructed. It was called the Flutgraben. The Flutgraben still exists today. It protects against floods.
The Thirty Years’ War prompted further upgrades to Erfurt’s defenses. Swedish forces tore down local parish churches. They used the stones to reinforce the Stadtmauer. The Cyriaksburg Citadel was established around 1480. The Petersberg Citadel followed in 1665. Additional defensive structures like the Daberstedter Schanze were built.
However, in 1873, Erfurt was defortified. Like other German fortresses, its military significance waned. The walls and towers were torn down. The Flutgraben was expanded. The Erfurter Stadtring road was built where the walls once stood. New construction was now allowed outside the former walls. This led to the creation of Erfurt’s suburbs. The Thuringian Railway was built on a southern section of the old Stadtmauer.
Today, only fragments of the Stadtmauer remain. One remnant can be found on Petersberg hill. A tower was built in 1413 when the old 12th-century Stadtmauer was expanded. In 1665, it was shortened. It became Powder Tower 2 in the Petersberg Citadel. The tower was largely demolished around 1900. The remains were secured and supplemented with gabions in 2001 and 2002.
The Stadtmauer is more than just stones. It’s a symbol of Erfurt’s enduring spirit. Its story reflects the city’s growth. It shows its adaptation to changing times. As you explore Erfurt, remember the Stadtmauer. Think about its long history. Envision the city within its protective embrace.