Probably the history of the tower dates back to the 13th century, when the Upper Market (Obermarkt) was laid out.

The gateway and the connecting walls were demolished in 1862 and shortly after a pedestrian passage was built through the tower.

During the restoration work in 1936, eight steel anchors were inserted into the lower part of the tower, which were hidden behind twelve colored coats of arms made by the painter Arno Henschel from Görlitz.

The upper six crests show the states Görlitz belonged to in the past: Holy Roman Empire, Bohemia, Brandenburg, Prussia, Silesia and finally Saxony.

The lower six crest show the city emblems of members of Lusatian League.