The Powder Tower
(Blown-up Tower)

The Powder Tower (blown-up tower), built about the middle of the 15th century, originally only three-storied, diameter 80 feet; the centeral beam of the cylindrial interior is a shift twards the interior of the castle so tha the circular wall is reinforced in the direction of the enemy from 11 feet to 21 feet. The fourth storey with a smaller diameter, erected under Friedrich IV (1592-1610) permitted a free outer gallery. The French miners did a thorough job here in the year 1689 when they blew up the tower from the centre. Nevertheless, the excellent masonry of the blown-up part has held to the present day. By the blasting there is a free view into the vaulted construction which rests on a central support. The loop-holes for fire-arms and lighter guns can be recognized, too. There were shafts for letting out smoke and for fresh air. In the lowest dome-shaped storey the gunpowder was sometimes stored, hence the name of the tower. This tower is the most picturesque and romantic part of the castle ruins.

The Powder Tower
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From a late 1800's Cabinet Card
Signed:
Heidelberg und Umgebung.
23. Der gesprengte Thurm.
Collection Edm, v, Konig
in Heidelberg, 1887
(From the authors
personal collection)
The Powder Tower
---------------
From a Post Card Dated 1908.
(The authors
personal collection)
The Powder Tower
---------------
From a 1920's Found Photograph
The Powder Tower
---------------
From a Travel Bureau
Internet Site Photo
The Powder Tower
in the Fall.
---------------
Photo Courtesy of
Scott MacHaffie.
The Powder Tower (upper)
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Rendered from the Author's
1988 Video Tape
The Powder Tower (lower)
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Rendered from the Author's
1988 Video Tape


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