Neuwerk Tower

Insel Neuwerk, Germany

The Great Tower Neuwerk is the most significant building of the Neuwerk island, belonging to Hamburg. This former beacon, watchtower and lighthouse is also the oldest building in Hamburg and oldest secular building on the German coast.

The construction was started in 1300. It was completed after ten years in 1310. The style matches the common norman tower type of the time. Contrary to some literature, the tower was built in this form from the beginning. The fire in the 1360s destroyed most of the wooden elements and it had to undergo major reconstruction.

The original roof was made of lead, and was replaced by copper in 1474. This was again replaced in 1558 by a tiled roof and by a new copper roof following that. The copper was then used for military purposes in 1916 reconstructed later.

The original purpose was to host troops to defend the ships entering and leaving the Elbe from sea and beach pirates. The tower was also refuge for the farmers on the island during storm surges and survivors of shipwrecks over the centuries.

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Address

Insel Neuwerk 1, Insel Neuwerk, Germany
See all sites in Insel Neuwerk

Details

Founded: 1300-1310
Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)

More Information

www.hamburg-travel.com
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

Hans Wurst (2 years ago)
Mit dem Wattwagenfahrern nach Neuwerk ist ein bezaubernde Abenteuer für Jung und Alt nämlich, besonders am sonnigen Tagen wird es auch Mal Lustig hergehen!
Jan Jannos (2 years ago)
Wer einmal über Kilometer auf dem Meeresgrund herum laufen möchte sollte eine Wattwanderung nach Neuwerk machen. Die Nordsee verschwindet im Rhythmus der Gezeiten.
MANFRED OLßON (3 years ago)
Tolle Zimmer und Aussicht. Ich fühlte mich gleich aufgenommen und wie in einer Familie. Das Frühstück war gut, der Kaffee exelent, ich werde auch beim nächsten Besuch dort einkehren. Einfach genial diese Atmosphäre.
Ma Ha (3 years ago)
Wenn man nicht gerade zu Fuß durchs Watt nach Neuwerk gewandert ist, lohnen sich die rund 140 Stufen hinauf auf jeden Fall noch für den Blick. Und die Wanderung durchs Wattenmeer sollte man in der Tat auch mal gemacht haben...
Guillem Mas (3 years ago)
Group dinner. Too slow service. No cold water in the table.
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The castle (12th–13th century), which overlooks the town from a high crag, was formerly the seat of the Dukes of Normandy. The construction was started on the site of an earlier castle in 1123 by Henry I of England, with the 'large keep' (grand donjon). Later was added the 'small keep' (petit donjon). The tower built in the first quarter of the 12th century contained a hall, chapel, and a room for the lord, but no small rooms for a complicated household arrangement; in this way, it was similar to towers at Corfe, Norwich, and Portchester, all in England. In 1202 Arthur I, Duke of Brittany was King John of England's nephew, was imprisoned in Falaise castle's keep. According to contemporaneous chronicler Ralph of Coggeshall, John ordered two of his servants to mutilate the duke. Hugh de Burgh was in charge of guarding Arthur and refused to let him be mutilated, but to demoralise Arthur's supporters was to announce his death. The circumstances of Arthur's death are unclear, though he probably died in 1203.

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