Nölliturm (Nölli Tower), Lucerne

The first in line of the nine towers of the Musegg Wall of Lucerne, the Nölliturm (Nölli Tower) marks the outset of the ancient ring of fortifications which extended over the Musegghügel (Musegg Hill) to the now demolished Weggistor gate in today's Museumplatz (Museum Square).

This cylindrical stone tower was built between 1513 and 1519 upon the rock on the bank of the river Reuss to replace another gate tower that was no longer used. Originally, it was known as the "Red Tower" because of the striking conical roof, clad in red tiles. The name Nölliturm probably refers to its former guard and was documented, for the first time, in the early 18th century.

Although somewhat squat in appearance, the Nölli Tower represents a fine ashlar structure standing a proud 28 meters tall to the top, with an outer diameter of 13.45 and inner diameter of 8.85 meters.

Until 1852 it was used as a gunpowder storage, then as a storage of weapons and oil, and then as an archive. In 1901, the tower was modified to let vehicular traffic pass through its gate, following the construction of Saint Karli-Quai that same year. The Saffron Guild of Lucerne has had their headquarters in and maintained the Nölliturm – the municipality property – since 1922.