The ancient fortress town of Landau is also renowned for its university, its wines and gardens, and its shops and markets. It not only lies at the centre of the southern Wine Route but is also the largest wine-producing district in Germany. The eight outlying districts of Landau are old wine-growing villages, more than 1,200 years old, that have now been incorporated into the town.Vauban fortress
During the reign of the Hohenstaufen dynasty in the 11th and 12th centuries there was an imperial castle in Landau. This was subsequently pulled down by local residents who used the stones to build a town wall. Today only the keep remains and is known as the "Galeerenturm" (galley tower). At the end of the 17th century the famous military architect Marquis de Vauban constructed a huge fortress in Landau, turning it into a fortress town. These fortifications can be found next to the German and French gates ("Deutsches Tor" and "Französisches Tor").Altes Kaufhaus (market hall)
In the Middle Ages, but also in modern times, the market hall served as a venue for retail merchants under the watchful eye of the town's market supervisor. On the ground floor there were scales for weighing wool, saffron and fruit as well as calibration devices, whilst the room on the upper floor was used as a municipal dance hall. During the first half of the 19th century the building was converted into a concert hall and theatre with a basement tavern, and some neo-Romanesque alterations were made to the Gothic structure. Today the market hall is where the town's arts centre is located.St. Katharine's chapel
This triple-naved basilica was constructed in the 14th century and between the 17th and 19th centuries was alternately used as a prison, guardhouse, gunpowder store, wine cellar and grain store. Inside the chapel there are some wonderful exposed frescoes dating back to the time it was constructed, as well as the tombs of two imperial generals.