Ponttor Gate, Aachen

The Ponttor (known in the 17th and 18th centuries as the Brückenpforte or Brückenthor) is one of the two remaining gates of the original medieval wall of Aachen (the other being the Marschiertor), and as such is a prominent landmark in the city. The westernmost of the north-facing gates, it was built in 1320, designed for defense purposes, and was originally manned by soldiers and militia throughout Aachen's Free Imperial City era.

The name Ponttor is assumed to be derived from the Latin word "pons", which means bridge. Although indeed, Aachen has several rivers and streams passing through, none of them is found nearby. Still, before the gate appeared, the area itself had already carried this appellation, so the gate must have been named after the neighborhood itself. The latter was named after a bridge that existed in Roman times on what is now known as the Annuntiaten stream. Beyond this area lay extensive swamps, and to exit the settlement, one would have to cross the bridge.

The Ponttor is a right-angled, three-storey gateway with two small towers and the main portal in between. In the main entrance, there is a Portcullis as well as a machicolation, through which things could be dropped onto the invading enemy. A bridge passage with crenelations spanned a moat and was strengthened in the foregate with two reinforced towers (barbicans). The building material was Devonian sandstone, with the framing made of light bluestone.

At the top of the main gate’s arch is the statue of the Virgin, protector of the city.

Today, the Ponttor is used by German Youth and Scout groups belonging to the German Scout Club (1945) and the German Scout Association of Saint George.