The story of the Widmertor

Remains of the old city walls – the Widmertor

Walking around the city, perhaps we miss little details that have a lot of history. You can find one of these details in the corridor that connects the Burgplatz with the Heldenplatz. In the past we have told you some stories about the walls that used to surround Vienna. Over the centuries these defensive walls have been modified several times. Perhaps you have heard of the term Widmertor before?

Along the Burgplatz-Heldenplatz corridor you will find a remnant of an old structure. A plaque next to it explains what it is. The plaque says that the structure that you see there is part of the old “Widmertor”, which dates back to the 13th century. It was one of the gates of the city walls. The gate and its tower existed until the 16th century. Then the structures were integrated in what is today the Leopoldinischer Trakt of the Hofburg. However, according to other accounts this particular structure was not part of the Widmertor, but part of another defensive structure dating back to the 16th century.

Regardless, next time you are using the corridor you may want to take a look at this old part of the Hofburg! (Cr.)

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