Town Fortification Überlingen-Franziskaner Gate

Überlingen was granted city rights in 1180. Around 1250, the initial city moats and ramparts were replaced by walls, whose defense was undertaken in sections by various guilds. Around 1300, an inner ring of walls was built, enclosing the old town center and including lines such as the Franciscan Gate, Rosenobel, and St. Johann. An outer ring of walls was started in 1450 and completed in 1630. This protection also encompassed the fishermen's houses, as well as the suburb and the "village," running along the Badturm, Aufkircher Tor, Wagsauterturm, and Wiestor. Of the original 15 defensive towers, the Gallerturm (built around 1500), the Wagsauterturm (rebuilt in 1958), the Rosenobel (built as a rondel in 1657, formerly the Roßnauerturm), and the St. Johann Turm (built as a rondel around 1520 and later extended) are still preserved today. The Galler- and St. Johann Turm are now used as clubhouses.