Ampelentower

The Gerberbach in the open moat

The road under the bridge, Bachstrasse, was once a stream, the Gerberbach, which flowed through the town’s moat. The medieval town wall turned to the east here, spanning the stream and thus linking the fortress on the hill to the ring-shaped town wall.

The stream passage was secured by an iron gate and a tower, wich was called “Ampelenturm”.

Bild: Museum zu Allerheiligen Schaffhausen, Inv. B5113

“Schutzgatter-Bollwerk“ from 1608 with watchtower (drawing from the 19 th century).

Bild: Museum zu Allerheiligen Schaffhausen, Inv. C4616

View of the city by Johann Jakob Mentzinger (1644) with “Ampelenturm” (marked in orange).