| This small statue of a headless man awaits strollers in front of the Pulverturm. It had supposedly stood since the end of the Thirty Years’ War at the north end of the ramparts facing the Krems River until about 15 years ago, when it was moved to the small patch of meadow in front of the wall. It commemorates the occupation by the Swedes in 1645/46. Legend has it that it was God’s punishment for a sacrilege a Swedish captain committed against the Virgin Mary. Krems was the main Swedish fortification from March 1645 until April 1646. In actuality, the Mandl ohne Kopf is the remains of a pillory figure or Roland figure presumably brought here from Hoher Markt.
The Pulverturm was built in 1477 as a battery tower and initially served as a watchtower and defense tower to survey the surrounding countryside. In the 17th century it was used to store gunpowder, hence its current name (powder tower). Visitors that stroll to the southwest along the old town wall with its gun slits can look down onto the flatlands known as the Tullnerfeld. |