Johannistor (Jena)

The outer gate remained in existence until the beginning of the nineteenth century, when it was demolished as a result of increasing traffic.

[1] Until the houses lining the south side of Johannisstrasse were demolished in 1968, the Johannistor remained the only western entrance to the old town of Jena.

[2] The interior is illuminated mainly by narrow slit windows, and the top of the tower also features several openings to vent smoke.

In the Middle Ages, the tower was used by the city guard, who were also tasked with providing fire protection for the nearby urban area.

A bay window built upon stone consoles projects out from the tower facade; this is popularly called the "Käsekorb" (cheese basket).