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Origin and history

The Puces Tower is a fortified building of the 12th century, former dungeon of the feudal castle of Thionville in Moselle. Originally, it was part of a Carolingian palatium that was cited in the 8th century, destroyed in the 10th century. Its current construction, dated between the 11th and 12th centuries, reuses blocks of various origins, including Carolingian remains. The circular foundation from 2.5 to 3 meters high, once interpreted as a chapel, seems contemporary of polygonal elevation to fourteen sides. The tower served as a seat at the provost from 1292 until the 16th century.

The name "tower to the Puces" is derived from a poor translation of the francique Pëtztuurm ("tower to the well"). Over the centuries, it was also named the tower of Mirabel, the tower of Meilbourg (mentioned in 1295 in Messin documents), or the tower of Thion in the 19th century. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, it underwent major changes: drills, addition of auxiliary buildings, and interior layout (such as the gun chimney of John IV of Raville). The Spaniards joined the fortifications between 1542 and 1558, then it was vaulted in 1583, as evidenced by the coat of arms of Wirich de Créhange.

In the 17th century, plans to transform into a military prison were envisaged but little was achieved. Under the German annexation (XIXth century), the tower was restored: the cover was rebuilt in 1880, the demolition of adjacent fortifications in 1903, and the creation of a terrace with niches in 1904 for its museum opening. Damaged during the Second World War, it was restored and reopened in 1966. Ranked a historic monument in 1932, it now houses eight thematic rooms depicting the history of Thionville, from Prehistory to Renaissance.

Two legends surround the tower. The first one evokes a secret room and a key that disappeared in the 11th century, supposedly stolen by criminals on their way to Lemestroff. The second, born of a translation error, relates that a fourteen-year-old princess was imprisoned and devoured by fleas, leaving only her hair and teeth, preserved in the museum. There is no historical evidence to support these accounts.

Architecturally, the tower blends blocks of various eras, with cradle vaults on the ground floor and dogive vaults on the first floor. The spiral staircase and the columns of the second floor date from the 16th century. Successive restorations (especially in 1904 and 1966) preserved its medieval appearance while adapting to its museum function. Owned by the commune, it illustrates the evolution of a feudal dungeon in the cultural heritage of the Great East.

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