The Lower Gate: Entrance to the Old Town

The Lower Gate or West Gate had been the entrance for the road from the
Swiss Midlands via Zurich and the Lake Walenstadt since the 13^th c. Until
the end of the 18^th century the Lower Gate, as well as the Upper Gate, were
under guard. The guard’s apartment was located above the Lower Gate.
After the upheaval of the French Revolution the gates lost their significance,
and in the Great Fire of 1811 they were destroyed and the remnants disposed of. In the “Wetti” Lane, located between the Lower Gate and the Curate’s House, St Mary, there used to be a horse pond. Its precious high relief stones of 1670 can now be admired under the arches of the St Matthew’s Foundation.