Diebsturm (Grünberg)

The Diebsturm stands in Grünberg, a small town in the Gießen region. Built around 1200, the tower has a distinctive drop-shaped floor plan. It once served as a prison, earning its name which means ‘thief tower’. In 1895 it was converted into a water tower, then later used to store ammunition. After restoration it became an observation tower. The tower’s interior is circular and 25 metres high. An exhibition inside traces the tower’s history alongside Grünberg’s past. The town’s medieval defences once included a full circuit of walls, of which the Diebsturm is the last visible remnant. The Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen recognises the entire fortified system as a protected cultural monument. Visitors climb inside the round brick walls to reach an open viewing platform. The exhibition panels explain how the tower changed roles over centuries. From the top there are views across Grünberg’s rooftops and surrounding countryside. The restored interior contrasts with the medieval exterior. The space combines historical exhibits with modern access for sightseers.