Borken’s medieval city towers named August monument by LWL

The city of Borken in North‑Rhine Westphalia is marking its 800‑year town anniversary by restoring its five surviving medieval city‑towers.

The Landschaftsverband Westfalen‑Lippe (LWL) has designated the Diebsturm, Kuhmturm, Wedemhoveturm, Windmühlenturm and Holkensturm as the “Monument of the Month” for August. LWL monument caretaker Dr Raphaela Wegers highlighted the towers’ uniform red‑brick masonry and the characteristic glazed‑tile pattern.

Restoration work includes fire‑safety upgrades at the Diebsturm to maintain its use as a wedding hall, state‑funded renovation of the Wedemhoveturm which serves as a nature‑bird‑watching centre, and minimally invasive interventions at the Holkensturm to convert it into an exhibition venue. The privately owned Windmühlenturm now features a barrier‑free information structure installed by the city. The towers, originally eight in number and built from the late 14th century, remain key historic landmarks of Borken.