Town fortifications Jena - Pulverturm

The Pulverturm (Powder Tower) is part of the old city wall of Jena. It is located at the northwestern corner of the city wall at today's intersection of Leutragraben/Fürstengraben.

Around 1300, Jena's city fortifications had progressed to such an extent that one could speak of a closed complex. It consisted of moats, walls, Zwinger areas, 3 gate towers, 4 corner bastions, and 12 subsequently added shell towers. The Pulverturm at the northwest corner of the city wall is about 20 m high and has 4 floors with a battlement walk. Together with the reconstructed battlement walk, the house on the wall, and the Johannistor, this is the largest still preserved part of the former Jena city fortifications. The tower has only a single access point, a low gate at a height of approximately 7 m. This gate can be reached via the reconstructed battlement walk. The old trade route from Erfurt to Altenburg led through the nearby Johannistor. One of four suburbs of medieval Jena, the Johannisvorstadt, lay in front of the ensemble.