Frauentorturm (Women's Gate Tower), Nuremberg
The Women's Gate Tower (Frauentorturm), also historically known as the "Blau Q," stands as a significant medieval landmark in Nuremberg. This tower is one of the four major towers that were integral to the fortifications of Nuremberg鈥檚 Old Town. Positioned on the southeastern side, it was strategically placed to guard the Frauentor, or Women's Gate, which was a crucial entry point into the city from the route leading to Regensburg.
The name 'Frauentor' is derived from its proximity to the Klarakloster, the Poor Clare Convent of Saint Klara, hinting at the historical significance of the area in terms of both defense and local culture. Documentation regarding the construction of the Frauentorturm is sparse, but payment records to the gatekeeper from as early as 1386 suggest that the gate was operational by this time, marking the likely completion of its construction.
Originally, the tower formed part of an earlier phase of the city walls before being replaced by the current structure following the demolition of the inner Frauentor in 1498鈥攁 change coinciding with the construction of The Mauthalle, the city鈥檚 customs house. In 1558, the Frauentorturm underwent significant remodeling to achieve its present-day rounded shape, which included the addition of a side gate.
With the completion of the K枚nigstor in 1849, the Frauentor was relegated to managing outgoing traffic. In contemporary times, the gate is exclusively pedestrian and hosts the Nuremberg Crafts Yard within what was once its armory, providing a vibrant cultural and commercial space for both locals and visitors.
Due to its prominent location opposite the Central Railway Station, the Women's Gate Tower is often one of the first historical sights encountered by visitors arriving in Nuremberg by train, serving as a striking introduction to the city鈥檚 rich medieval heritage.
The name 'Frauentor' is derived from its proximity to the Klarakloster, the Poor Clare Convent of Saint Klara, hinting at the historical significance of the area in terms of both defense and local culture. Documentation regarding the construction of the Frauentorturm is sparse, but payment records to the gatekeeper from as early as 1386 suggest that the gate was operational by this time, marking the likely completion of its construction.
Originally, the tower formed part of an earlier phase of the city walls before being replaced by the current structure following the demolition of the inner Frauentor in 1498鈥攁 change coinciding with the construction of The Mauthalle, the city鈥檚 customs house. In 1558, the Frauentorturm underwent significant remodeling to achieve its present-day rounded shape, which included the addition of a side gate.
With the completion of the K枚nigstor in 1849, the Frauentor was relegated to managing outgoing traffic. In contemporary times, the gate is exclusively pedestrian and hosts the Nuremberg Crafts Yard within what was once its armory, providing a vibrant cultural and commercial space for both locals and visitors.
Due to its prominent location opposite the Central Railway Station, the Women's Gate Tower is often one of the first historical sights encountered by visitors arriving in Nuremberg by train, serving as a striking introduction to the city鈥檚 rich medieval heritage.
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Frauentorturm (Women's Gate Tower) on Map
Sight Name: Frauentorturm (Women's Gate Tower)
Sight Location: Nuremberg, Germany (See walking tours in Nuremberg)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nuremberg, Germany (See walking tours in Nuremberg)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nuremberg, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Nuremberg
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nuremberg is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Nuremberg Old Town Walking Tour
The historical center of Nuremberg, Old Town (German: Altstadt) is easily differentiated from other parts of the city. Divided in two by the Pegnitz River, the district represents a complex architectural ensemble with a maze of historical lanes (e.g. Weissgerbergasse) packed with half-timber houses, linked by centuries-old bridges, such as Maxbr眉cke, and set against the picturesque backdrops of... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Despite Nuremberg's storybook appearance, the city's not so distant past is rather dark. Back in 1933, amid the rise of the Third Reich, the Nazis worked really hard to leave their stamp on the city, prettifying it and renovating the architecture in a bid to accommodate their massive rallies and bombastic military parades.
In fact, no other city in Germany is more intertwined with the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
In fact, no other city in Germany is more intertwined with the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles