This tower has been known as The Mill Tower (Kvarntornet in Swedish) since the early 17th century. This is where the citizens of Visby came to grind grain using the hand mills in the tower.
It was built as part of the first, lower wall and had five floors. The tower has a semi-circular shape which is unusual for Visby but common in the Baltic States. Due to this shape it also looks more like a mill than a defence tower. Inside the tower, one can see openings to the former archer's gallery. Originally, the side of the tower facing the town was completely open, and a wall covering that side was added later. The roof dates from the 18th century. On the tower facade two stones that have been shattered by cannonballs are still visible, a reminder of older battles and attempted sieges.
During the 19th century, snus was produced in a small factory established in the tower.
Photo: Artifex
