Lower Gate (5)

The distinctive gate tower at the western end of the marketplace is the landmark of Günzburg. Its lower half is likely the oldest visible structure in the Upper Town. Originally, all floors had a square layout, and the tower featured a pointed roof. However, when the castle was constructed, Alberto Lucchese opted for a redesign of the tower to better match the new westward view of the city.

The tower served as both the residence and workplace of an important city official – the town bell-ringer. His duty was to watch for fires and alert the inhabitants.

Where the bell-ringer’s room once was, you can now enjoy Weißwurst (traditional Bavarian sausages). A local association, the "Altstadtfreunde Günzburg e.V.," has restored the town tower's interior and given it a unique design.

A charming story is told in Günzburg about the green roof tiles: Wealthy cities in the past could afford to cover the roofs of towers and public buildings with copper sheets, which over time developed a greenish patina. From a distance, the green color indicated the prosperity of a place. Since the citizens of Günzburg could not afford copper, they tried to create the illusion of wealth from afar by glazing the roof tiles.