On the way to the Niggelturm, we come across more recent houses on the left-hand side of the street. The whole neighbourhood was completely burnt down in 1789. The Niggelturm was not part of the city wall. It was built as a free-standing guard and prison tower. The 14th century substructure was topped with an octagonal tower and the striking gallery at the end of the 16th century. Today, the Niggelturm houses a museum of fools, in which the great tradition of the Alemannic carnival is presented. The rogue carved in stone is the symbolic figure of the Gengenbach Fasend.
Numerous carnival figures can be seen in life size. You can also learn all about the jester's clothing, foolish paraphernalia and the creation of the valuable wooden masks. In addition to the local carnival figures, costumes and masks from the entire Swabian-Alemannic region are also on display.
WOL DER STADT DIE GOTT VOR AUGEN HAT UND AUF IN BAUT!
WHICH WILL NEVER BE ROBBED!
Anno 1582
This plaque is attached to the Niggelturm.
The Offenburg Gate next to it, known as the Lückeltor, unfortunately fell victim to renovation work in the last century.
