In front of the Marschiertor gate in Aachen sits a figure of a carving “Pennsoldat” (pen soldier); it commemorates the Aachen city militia that was stationed here to guard the gate. To supplement their meager wages (and probably also out of boredom), the guards carved thin wooden pins (known as “Penn” in the local dialect) for use as shoe soles.
(August 2025)
(Foto: © Rüdiger Benninghaus)
#Figuren, #statues, #Stadtmiliz, #Aachen, #Marschiertor, #Tore, #gates,

Of the eleven mighty gates that once formed part of Aachen's city fortifications, only two remain; one of these is the Marschiertor, built in 1257. It is one of the largest surviving city gates in Western Europe.
In 1894, a rhyming saying was carved into it, part of which is now missing, but which is thought to have read: "I was built to defend against the power of the enemy, I have been restored to adorn the city."
(August 2025)
(Foto: © Rüdiger Benninghaus)
#Stadttore, #city_gates, #Stadtbefestigung, #city_fortifications, #Architektur, #architecture, #Marschiertor, #Aachen