The term "Black Tower" first appears in written sources in 1566 and refers to the earlier black colouring, which was also renewed during renovations. Around 1571, the tower was raised by two storeys with Gothic stepped windows. Above the two storeys of windows, the building was bordered by an external row of battlements, which are still clearly visible today. At the beginning of the 18th century, the row of battlements was closed and the hipped roof was added.
The doorman and his family lived on the first window storey of the gate. Prison cells were built above them on the level of the second window storey. The tower keeper and his wife were responsible for looking after the prisoners. In a later remodelling phase around 200 years ago, cells were also installed on the third floor at the level of the battlements.
The oak cell door on the 2nd window storey bears witness to the fate of Christian Schlenker the "Schafbible" from Schwenningen. He was imprisoned for minor offences, rent debts and other debts that he was unable to repay. He immortalised himself by carving his name and profession. It can also be read that he had been imprisoned for 1004 days in 1847. A rider on a horse and a picture of a church are part of the carving.
Women were also imprisoned. In 1714, the unmarried Katharina Päurin from the Old Town was imprisoned in the Black Gate. She was accused of infanticide. The interrogation protocol is preserved in the city archives. She was found guilty and sentenced to death by the sword together with her mother. On the way to the place of execution through the black gate, the condemned man was rung by the "arm sinner's bell" in the bell tower.
Two imprisoned women, who were apparently involved in the murder of a farmer, screamed and raved in their cell to such an extent that the townspeople felt disturbed by the noise. The magistrate instructed the bath attendant to give them a good bath so that they would calm down again.
Around 100 years ago, when all the traffic passed through the gate, the northern passage was created for pedestrians. The southern passage with shop windows was only created in the 1960s by the chemist Tiberius Neher.
The Württemberg period almost put an end to the gate, as in May 1869 the Schwarzwälder Bürgerzeitung reported on its front page: "According to reports, the Black Gate ... will be demolished in the near future. It has no monumental value, nor is it architecturally beautiful". However, this idea was dropped out of fear for the statics of the neighbouring houses.
The Black Gate still stands today and is the starting point of the carnival parade on Rottweil's biggest holiday, Fasnet.
