Of the formerly 34 gate and watchtowers of the medieval city fortifications, only three have survived today: the Alexander Tower, the Wooden Tower, and the Iron Tower, which was built around 1240 and is considered a stone testimony of that era, named after the iron market that was once held on the banks of the Rhine.
Over the centuries, the Iron Tower has served various purposes – from a gate tower to a military prison to a place for art exhibitions. Today, it is situated between the Town Hall, Rheinstraße, and the shopping center Am Brand, still radiating medieval charm. The Kunstverein Eisenturm Mainz e. V., founded in 1975, uses the tower as an exhibition space, allowing visitors to experience historical ambiance while discovering contemporary art. Information on current exhibitions and opening hours can be found on the association's website.
