The Fripons Tower

At the entrance to the Grand Cru Kaefferkopf village, the Fripons Tower, built in 1608 in Ammerschwihr, marked the access to the lower gate of the medieval town. This imposing cylindrical structure perfectly illustrates 17th-century military architecture. Its six stepped gun ports and bossed embrasures were designed to absorb the impact of projectiles, enhancing its defensive role. The tower is topped with a steep six-sided roof, giving it a distinctive silhouette. Damaged during the bombings of December 1944, which devastated 85% of Ammerschwihr, it lost its roof before being restored after the war. In 2019, a new restoration campaign returned the tower to its original appearance. It is now occasionally open to the public during free access days as part of a marked circuit.