Schwabentor in Schaffhausen’s Old Town was first mentioned in records as "Neuturm" (New Tower) in 1361. It formed the northern side of the medieval town fortification against the Swabians. Today you enter the Old Town to Vorstadt through the Schwabentor. On the west facing side of Schwabentor a piece of the historical town wall with a battlement parapet still remains and the Finsterwaldturm serving as the corner tower has remained intact.

"Open your eyes you dumbbell", is the saying by the painter, Arnold Oechslin, which was emblazoned on the keystone of the north facing archway in 1935 and which is famous well beyond Schaffhausen. The town councillor selected the design from four proposals. There is no historical connection between the saying and the Schwabentor.