Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Witch Tower, located in Rouffach (High Rhine), is the last vestige of the medieval fortifications of the city. Built mainly in the 14th century, it is distinguished by its 13th century round base and its square floors added to the 14th and 15th centuries. This tower served as a prison for centuries, which earned him his evocative name.

Ranked as a historic monument in 1921, the Tower of the Witches is now covered by a nest of storks, a traditional symbol of the Alsatian region. His story is marked by the imprisonment of women accused of witchcraft, although accurate records of these events remain rare. The tower now belongs to the municipality of Rouffach.

Architecturally, the tower illustrates the evolution of construction techniques between the Middle Central Ages (round base) and the late Middle Ages (square floors). Its central location on the main square of Rouffach highlights its past role in defence and urban organization. Today, it is a tangible testimony of the Alsatian medieval heritage.

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