Renovation of the Witches' Tower in Markdorf: Work starts after bird breeding!

Renovation of the Witches' Tower in Markdorf: Work starts after bird breeding!

The Witches' Tower in Markdorf will soon shine in new splendor. After long preparations and delays due to species protection regulations, the local council has now set the course for the renovation. The work, which is scheduled to begin on June 23 or 24, has been awarded to three companies. These are the Bechinger company, which is responsible for plastering and stucco work, the Itta sculpture workshop for the stonemasonry and Holzbau Schmäh, which not only takes on carpentry and roofing work, but was also commissioned to map the damage to the roofing seven years ago.

The delay that is now behind us was necessary to protect the breeding season of the swifts. Six nesting boxes were installed in collaboration with the BUND local association to provide the animals with a safe place. Loud South Courier The witch's tower has serious damage: leaks, water ingress and moss make renovation urgently necessary.

Historical significance of the Witch Tower

The Witches' Tower is not only an important historical building, but also a living museum that presents evidence of Markdorf's city history and craft tools. Its roots go back deep into the past, as it was once part of the medieval city fortifications and served as a prison and torture site during the dark times of the witch hunts. “Hexenhammer” by Heinrich Kramer, a book that legitimized the persecution, shaped this era. Up to 50,000 people fell victim to witch trials across Europe, many of them women who were often falsely accused Monument Protection.de explained in detail.

In the Markdorf city archives there are documents that show that women were convicted and executed for witchcraft. It remains unclear how many women actually suffered these fates in Markdorf. The Witches' Tower might be an afterthought as it predates the witch trials, but today it features two holding cells from around 1800 that were once used for vagrants and troublemakers.

Financial support and outlook

Around 360,000 euros are available for the upcoming renovation, with 60,000 euros in funding expected from Stuttgart and an additional 75,000 euros from the German Foundation for Monument Protection. The companies' offers were sometimes higher than the costs determined, but these differences can be compensated for in the overall budget. The measure must be completed by the end of the year in accordance with the funding guidelines of the State Office for Monument Preservation.

Architectural features of the tower, such as the stepped gable and humpback blocks, are to be preserved during the renovation work. The aim is to both secure the structural substance and preserve the tower as part of the cultural heritage. Ecological aspects also play a role, as the study by the Fraunhofer Center for Energy-Efficient Old Building Renovation and Monument Preservation shows. Important findings help to find individual solutions that respect the monument's value and at the same time meet modern requirements Fraunhofer.

Overall, the people of Markdorf are looking forward to the upcoming renovation work, which will not only bring the Witch's Tower back into shape, but also underline its important history and function as a monument worth preserving in our region.