The triumphal arch in honor of Elector Karl Theodor at the east end of the city.
The Karlstor was built between 1775 and 1781 according to plans by Nicolas de Pigage. The Elector himself attended the laying of the foundation stone ceremony on October 2, 1775. It was he who prompted the architect to combine elements from three submitted designs in a fourth plan. The result was a classicist building in the tradition of Roman victory gates, crowned by four Palatine lions. In the central section, on the west side facing the city, the portraits of the Elector and his wife can be seen under the princely hat. Facing outward from the city, the central panel bears the dedication inscription and, above it, a trophy of arms with the coat of arms of the Elector Palatine. The sculptures were created by Peter Simon Lamine. The gate was never finished.
