Holländerturm

The Dutchman tower is a tower of the old city walls of the capitol city square in the old town of Bern.

The Dutchman tower was built around 1256 as a defense tower, he was part of the third defensive belt, which also belonged to the Prison Tower. As in 1345, the fourth military belt was created with the Christoffel Tower, this reduced the military significance of the third defensive belt. In 1530 the buildings of the third defensive belt for civilian purposes were released. The Dutchman tower subsequently housed for many years a hoof and armorers. His name came the Dutch tower because Bernese officers in the Dutch service came to this tower, to indulge in the enjoyment of tobacco here. They did this to you from unwanted viewers to be sure, because at that time the tobacco smoking in Bern was still banned.

Initially called the tower but still smoking tower, until 1896, the term Dutch tower was first mentioned. 1885, the tower on the occasion of the Federal Schützenfest was first renovated. Six years later, in 1891, the tower room for the celebration of the 700th anniversary of the city of Bern has been refreshed externally. The last renovation was in 1939 so far carried out.

Gallery

The Dutchman Tower 2006