Back when the Kütertor, or Kuetertor, was first built, it was one of many city gates separating Stralsund from the outside world. Visit the city today, however, and you will find that most of these gates have disappeared, leaving only the UNESCO-protected Kuetertor and one other gate.
From its name to its location in Old Town, Kuetertor holds a lot of the area’s history. Stroll along the winding streets from the center of Stralsund and imagine what the atmosphere would have been when the gate was first documented in 1281. The name itself, Kuetertor, is derived from the name of the butchers who worked in the local area.
On the Old Town side of the gate are an adjacent restaurant and a road leading to the city center. Head to the other side, where you will find modern roads and a landscape of buildings that reflect 21st-century Germany.
Stand at the entrance of the gate and look up to marvel at the steep roof that pierces the blue sky with its copper cladding. The red shingles below that are almost mesmerizing and the symmetrical windows and detailed brickwork make the gate an architectural highlight.
The gate was actually rebuilt in 1446. Note that one of its original uses was as a prison. The gate held prisoners for over 400 years and was later turned into residences for city dwellers.
More recently, the gate formed part of a youth hostel. Stop by today and you’ll find a residential area, completed in 2015, called the Areal am Kütertor.
Bring your camera to the Kuetertor for a picture-perfect backdrop and capture one of Old Town’s most historic landmarks.
Walk to the gate from anywhere in Old Town or come by train and journey on foot from Stralsund’s train station. Look for metered parking nearby if you’re arriving by car. As the Kuetertor acts as an entrance to a larger historic area, plan to spend time exploring the surrounding area.
