Description of the attraction
Not far from the Hoer Markt square in Krems is the old part of the city, consisting of narrow, crooked streets. At the heart of this quarter is a massive landmark, a highly recognizable local landmark dating back to the Middle Ages. This is the round Powder Tower, which previously stood in the northeastern corner of the former fortress walls that surrounded the city. We can say that it marks the place where the border of Krems passed. The partially preserved city walls and the Powder Tower remind of the city's past.
The Powder Tower was built in 1477 as part of the Krems defensive structure. Initially, there was a flat platform on its roof, so the tower was used as an artillery bastion. In its original form, it is depicted in the cityscape of Matthäus Merian. In the 18th century, the Powder Tower was crowned with a conical roof.
The tower got its name due to the fact that since 1752 its premises were used for storing gunpowder. A hundred years later, in 1851, the gunpowder in the warehouse exploded, causing significant damage to the medieval building. It was rebuilt and the gunpowder was moved outside the city for security reasons.
Nowadays, the Powder Tower houses a recreation center for teenagers. Young people 12-24 years old can come here to chat with friends, meet new people, play table football or darts, listen to music or watch TV, work out on the computer, read magazines, participate in some discussions. They conduct master classes for the children, give lectures on acute social topics, and give advice on finding a job.
