Ziębice Gate in Grodków

Grodków once had four town gates with towers. Two survive, and the Ziębice Gate, on the western side of the former ring of walls, is the one you can still walk through under a Gothic arch. The tower mixes two styles: the lower part is medieval, with a pointed-arch passage, while the top carries a Renaissance parapet added around 1600.

History: a bishops' town

Grodków was founded in the mid-13th century. In 1344 it passed to the Bishops of Wrocław and became the capital of the Duchy of Grodków. It was then, on the initiative of Bishop Przecław of Pogorzela, that four gate towers were built, including the Ziębice Gate. Around 1600 the tower was raised and given its parapet; further work followed in 1866 and in the 20th century. The same bishop also had nearby Nysa, capital of the bishops' duchy, surrounded by walls.

What to see

• The passage at ground level: a pointed-arch opening running east–west, framed by a brick reveal with stone voussoirs.
• Windows of various sizes – narrow slits and segment-headed openings in surrounds – on the upper storeys.
• Rusticated corners – Renaissance plaster decoration on the tower's edges.
• On the north side, a small latrine oriel on two corbels, also with rustication. It is easy to miss, as houses hide the lower storeys on that side.
• The parapet with small pilasters, triangular gables and quarter-circle elements.

The tower stands on ul. Wrocławska, in the line of the former walls, with houses built up against its north and west sides.

Tripto tip

You view the tower from outside – a few minutes is enough, unless you want to study the details. Look for the latrine oriel on the north side, high up. Then walk across town to the other surviving gate, the Lewin Gate, on the east side on ul. Elsnera: also Gothic, also with a Renaissance parapet. Józef Elsner, Chopin's teacher, was born in the house next to it in 1769. The walk between the gates via the market square is short, so both are easy to see in one stop.