The Ponttor in Aachen, Germany, (known in the 17th and 18th centuries as the Brückenpforte or Brückenthor) is one of the two remaining gates of the original city wall of Aachen (the other being the Marschiertor). The westernmost of the north-facing gates (the other being the Sandkaultor, which no longer exists), the Ponttor was built in the 14th century and manned by soldiers and militia throughout the Free Imperial City of Aachen era. Today, the Ponttor is used by German Youth and Scout groups belonging to the German Scout Club (1945) and the German Scout Association Saint George.
Ponttor with foregateView inside the foregateStatue of Mary, patron saint of the main gate, embedded in the arch
The Ponttor was constructed as a right-angled three-stock tower castle. In the main entrance, there is a Portcullis as well as a machicolation, through which things could be dropped on invading forces. A bridge passage with crenelations spanned a moat and was strengthened in the foregate with two reinforced towers (barbicans). The building material was Devoniansandstone, Pennsylvanian carbonite sandstone and quartzite, with the framing material made of light bluestone.[1]
Explanation of the nameedit
Though it is true that Aachen has many rivers and streams that pass through it, none are in the vicinity of the Ponttor, the name for which is assumed to come from the Latin word "pons", meaning bridge. However, before the gate was named, the area of the city (as well as the area's main street) already carried this appellation, and thus the city gate is simply named for the area around it. The neighborhood received the name because of a bridge, as during Ancient Roman times, a fortification existed on what is today known as the Annuntiaten stream. Beyond this area lay extensive swamps, and to exit the settlement, one would have to cross a bridge. Later settlements that were built in the area beyond the fortification were said to be beyond the bridge, and from this, the area, street, and city gate all got their names.
Inner city side (south)
Outer city side (north)
View from the east
Forecastle, view from the east
approach along the former wall in the south east
Works citededit
Bruno Lerho (2006). Die große Aachener Stadtmauer mit Toren und Türmen. Aachen: Helios Verlag. ISBN3-938208-37-6.
C. Rhoen (1894). Die Befestigungswerke der freien Reichsstadt Aachen. Aachen: Verlag von Anton Creutzer. (Online-Version, pdf, 6.61MB).
Referencesedit
^Roland Walter: Aachener Georouten. Grenzecho-Verlag, 2011, Eupen, S. 130-132, ISBN978-3-86712-058-6
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ponttor.
Informative article on the history and interior of the Ponttor
ponttor, aachen, germany, known, 17th, 18th, centuries, brückenpforte, brückenthor, remaining, gates, original, city, wall, aachen, other, being, marschiertor, westernmost, north, facing, gates, other, being, sandkaultor, which, longer, exists, built, 14th, ce. The Ponttor in Aachen Germany known in the 17th and 18th centuries as the Bruckenpforte or Bruckenthor is one of the two remaining gates of the original city wall of Aachen the other being the Marschiertor The westernmost of the north facing gates the other being the Sandkaultor which no longer exists the Ponttor was built in the 14th century and manned by soldiers and militia throughout the Free Imperial City of Aachen era Today the Ponttor is used by German Youth and Scout groups belonging to the German Scout Club 1945 and the German Scout Association Saint George Ponttor with foregate View inside the foregate Statue of Mary patron saint of the main gate embedded in the arch Contents 1 Structure 2 Explanation of the name 3 Works cited 4 References 5 External linksStructure editThe Ponttor was constructed as a right angled three stock tower castle In the main entrance there is a Portcullis as well as a machicolation through which things could be dropped on invading forces A bridge passage with crenelations spanned a moat and was strengthened in the foregate with two reinforced towers barbicans The building material was Devonian sandstone Pennsylvanian carbonite sandstone and quartzite with the framing material made of light bluestone 1 Explanation of the name editThough it is true that Aachen has many rivers and streams that pass through it none are in the vicinity of the Ponttor the name for which is assumed to come from the Latin word pons meaning bridge However before the gate was named the area of the city as well as the area s main street already carried this appellation and thus the city gate is simply named for the area around it The neighborhood received the name because of a bridge as during Ancient Roman times a fortification existed on what is today known as the Annuntiaten stream Beyond this area lay extensive swamps and to exit the settlement one would have to cross a bridge Later settlements that were built in the area beyond the fortification were said to be beyond the bridge and from this the area street and city gate all got their names nbsp Inner city side south nbsp Outer city side north nbsp View from the east nbsp Forecastle view from the east nbsp approach along the former wall in the south eastWorks cited editBruno Lerho 2006 Die grosse Aachener Stadtmauer mit Toren und Turmen Aachen Helios Verlag ISBN 3 938208 37 6 C Rhoen 1894 Die Befestigungswerke der freien Reichsstadt Aachen Aachen Verlag von Anton Creutzer Online Version pdf 6 61MB References edit Roland Walter Aachener Georouten Grenzecho Verlag 2011 Eupen S 130 132 ISBN 978 3 86712 058 6External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ponttor Informative article on the history and interior of the Ponttor 50 46 53 50 N 06 04 42 E 50 7815278 N 6 07833 E 50 7815278 6 07833 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ponttor amp oldid 1188288066, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
