The tower's base walls are so thick that they once housed a small guard room within the masonry itself.
It is one of the four original towers that protected the city gates during the Middle Ages.
The masonry is composed of irregular fieldstones and large granite blocks, contributing to its extreme structural resilience.
For centuries, the tower's interior was used specifically as a municipal prison, with a 'dark' section for long-term confinement.
The tower survived multiple sieges during the Thirty Years' War, unlike several other city gates which were destroyed.
The Thick Tower, or Dicker Turm, serves as one of the few remaining bastions of the medieval fortification system in Görlitz, Germany. Standing 45 meters tall, the tower features walls that reach an impressive thickness of 5.3 meters at the base. It was constructed in the mid-15th century as a key defense point for the city's western entrance. The tower is characterized by its distinct semicircular floor plan and heavy masonry designed to withstand heavy artillery fire. Historically, it served as a prison, with the lower levels containing dungeon cells for detainees. Today, the structure is managed by the local tourism association and functions as a historical monument offering panoramic views of the city skyline. It remains an essential site for understanding the city's transformation from a fortress town to a hub of European architecture.
From the Marienplatz square, looking upward at the tower’s base to capture the massive scale of the masonry against the sky.
Climb the internal staircase to the observation deck for a high-angle view of the surrounding medieval rooftops.
Pair your visit with a walk along the remaining sections of the western city wall located immediately adjacent to the tower.
Look for the original stonework texture on the exterior, which contrasts sharply with the renovated upper sections.
Do not attempt to climb the tower if you have mobility impairments, as the historical stairs are narrow and lack elevator access.
Closed on Mondays; generally open during the primary tourism season from spring through autumn.
Wear sturdy, flat shoes suitable for navigating steep, narrow, and uneven stone staircases.
