The Chain Tower
The Chain Tower (1384) (French:La tour de la Chaîne) along with the Lantern tower and the Saint Nicolas Tower, is one of the three medieval towers guarding the port in La Rochelle, France. It is called the Chain tower because an actual chain was stretched across the port entrance from this building. In 1879 the French government classified it as a Monument historique (MH).[1]
| The Chain Tower | |
|---|---|
| Native name French: La tour de la Chaîne | |
 The chain Tower | |
| Location | La Rochelle, France |
| Nearest city | La Rochelle |
| Coordinates | 46°09′21″N 01°09′25″W |
| Height | 138 feet (42 m) |
| Original use | Gateway to the Old Port of La Rochelle |
| Architectural style(s) | Medieval |
| Governing body | Building managed by the CMN (Center des Monuments Nationaux) |
| Owner | Government |
| Website | la-rochelle |
History
This tower along with the Saint Nicolas Tower stood at the entryway to the Port of La Rochelle. The way this tower got its name: at times throughout history a chain was stretched between the two buildings to stop ships from entering. Throughout history the building was also used to store gunpowder.[2] The tower has not changed much since the 14th century.[3]
See also
The entrance of the Old Port of La Rochelle The Chain Tower on the left, Saint Nicolas Tower on the right.
References
- Base Mérimée: The Chain Tower, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
- "The Chain Tower (La tour de la Chaîne)". poitou-charentes-vendee.com. Poitou Charentes Vendee. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- "The Chain Tower". frenchmoments.eu. French Moments Ltd. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
External links
- Saint-Barthélémy bell-tower at Structurae
- La Rochelle et Son Histoire: Tours (in French)
- Église paroissiale Saint-Barthélemy à La Rochelle (in French)
- Photos, French Ministry of Culture
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