Photo: Frankazis81 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Freiheitsturm

Medieval tower in Burg's old town with exhibitions by the local history association on the administration of justice, living and brewing; visits by arrangement.

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About the museum

The Freiheitsturm stands in the old town of Burg near the historic town wall and is first mentioned in documents in the early 16th century. In popular speech it is called the Kuhturm (cow tower), because the farmers of the upper town drove their cattle out through here to the pastures of the fields. Until the late 17th century it had battlements; afterward it received a gabled roof and gable.

Particularly notable are the so-called black kitchens, found on all floors, which served for heating and as smoke outlets. About two meters below the present street level lies the original gateway passage – an indication that the ground was raised over the course of the centuries.

Until 1910 the tower served as a prison, later as a shelter for the homeless, a youth hostel and an animal shelter. After its restoration, the Heimatverein Burg und Umgebung (local history association) set up exhibitions in it dealing with the administration of justice, domestic culture at the beginning of the 20th century, and the town's breweries and inns.

Highlights

Black kitchens on all floors
Historic gateway passage below the present street level
Exhibition on the administration of justice in the former prison tower
Domestic culture of the early 20th century
History of Burg's breweries and inns

Permanent exhibitions

Ausstellungen des Heimatvereins im Kuhturm – Spread over several floors, the exhibitions cover the administration of justice in the town, living at the beginning of the 20th century and the history of Burg's breweries and inns.