Lower Gate

The lower gate stood here in the laketown near the former lake until 1899. Built from large stone blocks, it towered above the town with its imposing medieval bridge and gatehouse.
However, with the straight extension of today's Marktstraße to the north and the construction of the Seedamm bridge in 1825, the lower gate lost its original function as a city gate.

From then on, the gatehouse was used as a prison. Many of the inmates were released after serving their sentences. However, those who had committed serious crimes walked from here to the place of execution, known as the "Blutfeld" (blood field). In accordance with medieval jurisdiction, the punishment was carried out in full view of everyone.

In 1854, one of the last public executions in Baden took place at the place of execution near Adelsheim. A day laborer had strangled his wife with a rope while she slept at night. The murderer was executed with a single stroke of the sword. Around 5,000 onlookers gathered to witness the event.

Just two years later, public executions by the executioner's sword were finally banned in Baden. From then on, the death penalty was to be carried out by guillotine without spectators.
The gatehouse served as a prison until 1866. In 1899, the lower gate was finally demolished and only part of the eastern wall with the gatehouse remained.