The Gray Tower – A Piece of History that Stands to This Day
In the middle of the city rises the Gray Tower – the last witness of the medieval fortification. It was built around 1350, when Peter Gruele served as mayor. At that time, the city was only allowed to build a wall because Emperor Louis the Bavarian granted city rights in 1332. This right was reaffirmed by Emperor Charles IV in 1355.
When the demolition of the city walls began in 1812, the tower was spared. Instead, it was used as a cantonal prison – a rather practical repurposing, considering how sturdily such walls were built. Later, the tower came into private ownership and thus survived the following decades. In 1910, it was finally placed under monument protection to preserve it from decay.
In 1966, the city repurchased the Gray Tower. In the 1980s, it was meticulously restored, so it now stands once again in its old splendor and is an impressive testament to the city's history.
