Old town tower

The historic town tower, which was restored in 2004, is by far the most impressive relic of the medieval town fortification of Trarbach. Its many towers, bastions, and three town gates once stretched along the bank of the Moselle and the Kautenbach brook, across Kästel mountain and all the way to the Grevenburg ruin. The wall was erected around the time as the town of Trarbach and Grevenburg castle, around 1350. It was built by count Johann III of Sponheim, the son of the legendary countess Loretta, who in 1328 abducted archbishop Balduin of Trier and held him captive in the neighbouring Starkenburg castle. Today the tower, which originally was one story higher, serves as a viewing tower that affords magnificent views across the roofs of the twin town. The tower also accommodates a historic collection of mantelpieces, chimney plates, and stove plates, which are part of the Mittelmosel Museums 50 metres away.