Turm der Sinne

The Turm der Sinne is an interactive science centre inside the Mohrenturm, a round medieval tower in Nuremberg’s old city wall. It stands at the West Gate, where the city’s defences once met the countryside. The tower itself is part of the 15th-century defences, yet its interior now hums with modern experiments. The museum turns everyday perception into hands-on science. Visitors test how eyes, ears, hands, noses and tongues shape what they believe they see or feel. Optical and sensory illusions reveal how the brain fills gaps in the data it receives. Behind the scenes, a scientific advisory board includes researchers from German universities who help shape the exhibits. Since 1998 the tower has hosted annual symposia on brain research, turning local curiosity into national dialogue. Inside, 120 square metres of floor space hold more than thirty stations. A full-scale Ames room shrinks adults to the size of children, while the Pausenberger Rinne makes water appear to flow uphill. Schools use the space for curriculum-linked workshops and teacher training. Outside the tower, Nuremberg’s city wall walk offers a quiet loop back to the bustle of the city centre.