Altpörtel in Speyer

uploaded by: Aerilius

on August 12, 2009

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The Altpörtel is the end of a triumph road and was the antipole of the Speyer Cathedral. The lower part of the 55m high gate tower was built in 1230 and 1250, the top floor followed in 1512 and the 20-meter-high roof in 1708. —————————————————————————————————————— The tower survived the destruction of the city in 1689 during the Palatine war of succession. When the French Marshal Duras prepared the blasting, the prior of the nearby Carmelite convent, where the Marshal lived, pointed out that blowing up this tower would endanger his headquarters. The prior said, "Easily can you smash the monastery although you gave your word for its conservation." Duras said, however, his people could throw the tower in whatever direction he wanted. Then the whole Carmelite convent fell down at the Marshal's feet . The Prior said: "Our monastery is old and dilapidated, although the fall of the tower would not smother our apartment, but the rotten walls and vaults would quake and collapse under the immense mass of stone falling down. Therefore, Lord, have mercy, and spare the tower. " The marshal looked to himself, and finally shouted: "Get up! The tower will remain!" Thereupon, the Altpörtel was spared, while the city of Speyer and the cathedral where turned into a debris field.

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