Above the rooftops of Bretten - the Piper's Tower

The Pfeiferturm in the north and the Simmelturm in the south re-presented two important bastions as a part of the city wall.

Built in the mid-13th-century the Pfeiferturm was the strongest fortification of the town at 26 meters high. It protected the town (protected by tower guards and pipers, giving the tower its name) to the particularly dangerous northern side.

Importantly, its existence prevented that the troops of Württemberg could form a complete ring of siege around the town during the Landshut War of Succession in 1504. However, it got severely damaged during the siege and could only be restored in 1507.

It was used as communication centre and sometimes also as prison for the town and district of Bretten. Its high steeple roof also burnt down during the city fire in 1689. So, for over 300 years the Pfeiferturm remained as a torso only. It was only in 2009, thanks to the citizens’ initiative for local and cultural heritage that the tower received a new roof. The ceremonial opening took place in 2017. Originally, it could only be entered from the wall-walk, today a steep staircase with 152 steps from a door on „Engelsberg“ leads up to the observation platform. From above one has a very good view on Bretten and its surroundings.