Lavenstein

The Lavenstein is one of the few surviving defensive towers of Aachen's outer city wall, which was built between around 1300 and 1350. As the only tower in the southwest section of the wall ring, it now stands in a small park. Built of rubble stone, the round tower has two stories, shallow domed vaults, and a conical roof. It originally served mainly as a lookout post, since its military defensive function was minor. In the 19th century, residents used its cool walls as a natural cold store for keeping ice harvested from nearby ponds. A commemorative plaque on the tower recalls its significance in the city's history.