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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Devil's Tower, located in the upper city of Mulhouse, is a vestige of the fortified enclosure built in the first quarter of the 13th century. It was strengthened in the middle of the 14th century and rebuilt in the early 15th century, as evidenced by the opening of its northern facade. This tower, destroyed by fires in 1904, was restored and raised in 1906, just like the unprotected Nessel Tower.

During the period of witch hunting in the 15th century, the tower served as a prison for those accused of witchcraft, which earned him his name. In the 19th century, it was transformed into workers' housing, marking a change in its use over the centuries.

The Devil's Tower is part of the first wall of Mulhouse, raised between 1222 and 1224. In 1260, the bishop of Strasbourg, in conflict with the emperor for the possession of the city, built a castle there, destroyed in 1262 by Rodolphe de Habsburg. The fortifications were then raised in 1354, and a round road (Zwingel) was built in 1397. Despite work in the 15th century, Mulhouse's defence remained insufficient, and the city gates were destroyed between 1809 and 1811.

The Devil's Tower and the Nessel Tower, two 13th century remains, were the only ones left after these destructions. They were restored and raised in 1906. Since 1929, the Devil's Tower has been listed as historical monuments.

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