Marschiertor

The Marschiertor is one of the most imposing surviving city gates in Western Europe and served as the southern gate of Aachen's outer city wall. Construction began around 1257 and was completed shortly after 1300. As part of the so-called Gothic Wall, it was one of the city's four main gates. Its architecture is that of a twin-tower gatehouse, in which two four-story towers flank a five-story central building. Together, these elements form a single unit beneath a shared pointed conical roof. You can admire the structure's impressive width and the detailed design of the portal, with its stepped arches leading to the passageway.

Inside, you'll find historic rooms such as the great armory, guardrooms, and dungeons, once watched over by the city's soldiers. The gate has had an eventful history, ranging from sieges and use as a shelter for the homeless to heavy war damage in World War II. After an elaborate reconstruction, which was not completed until 1959 with the rebuilding of the distinctive hipped roof, the Stadtgarde carnival society took over the building. Today the gate serves as the society's clubhouse, and its historic ambiance and spacious armory make it a special setting for events and cultural activities.