Miltenberg/Miltinburc grew around a Mainz toll station built on the river bank in the 13th century, protected by the Mildenburg (castle). The castle itself dates from the 12th century. In 1237, the village was awarded the status of town. It profited from the "Stapelrecht" which forced passing merchants to store their wares locally and offer them for sale for some days. This boosted construction of inns and warehouses. For protection, walls from the castle were extended around the town. This oldest part of the town was just 100 meters east to west, extending west from today's "Schnatterloch". The first expansion of the settlement stretched east to the "Mittelturm" and west to the "Schwertfegerturm" (both later demolished). By the 14th century, the town had expanded to the limits which roughly endured until the 19th century: from "Würzburger Tor" (east) to "Spitzenturm"/"Mainzer Tor" (west).