One of the two main north-south gates of the former Rastatt federal fortress (1842 - 1890). With neo-Gothic decorated battlements and turrets. A few meters away is the entrance to the casemates of "Bastion 27".
A former gate with embrasures that was used to monitor the fortress moat. Together with the Kehl Gate at the southern exit, the Karlsruhe Gate is one of the two remaining gates of the Federal Fortress. The outward and return route extends the walking time of the Historical Route by approx. 15 minutes.
Children discover Rastatt:
During its time as a federal fortress, Rastatt was a five-gate town with two main gates and three side gates. People and goods entering or passing through the town were checked at the guarded town gates.
Taxes or tolls were levied as entrance fees for goods. The city gates were closed at night. Anyone arriving after closing time had to wait outside the gate until the next morning. Important visitors could be admitted through a side door.
There was particularly heavy traffic on market days. Many farmers wanted to sell vegetables, grain and fruit. They came to the market early in the morning with their carts. Traders with other goods were only admitted to the market if they wanted to sell goods that were not yet available on the market. This was to protect the Rastatt traders from competition.
