Gallerturm

The Gallerturm is a round defensive tower marking the western edge of Überlingen’s historic old town. St. Johann Tower marks the eastern side.

Built in the early sixteenth century, the tower rises high above the former city moat. Its thick walls formed part of Überlingen’s western fortifications.

Builders from Graubünden created this structure, considered the earliest round defensive tower north of the Alps. Its circular plan helped resist cannon fire.

A women’s convent dedicated to Saint Gallus gave the tower its name before new fortifications replaced it. The former convent stood here.

Later changes added battlements and arched windows, while the interior became living quarters for visitors seeking a romantic setting. Those changes softened its military character.

The Society of Art Friends Überlingen uses the tower and holds a collection focused largely on twentieth-century art. Works include Otto Dix, Henry Moore, and André Ficus.

Exhibitions by regional artists connect the historic building with local cultural activity. Gallerhöhe offers views across the city and Lake Constance.

A panorama board on the nearby hill helps identify landmarks around Überlingen. The tower brings together fortification, architecture, and art.

Its walls, windows, and battlements show how military buildings changed through later use. The Gallerturm also recalls the city’s former defensive landscape.