Lower Gate Tower in Prudnik

The Lower Gate Tower on Batorego Street is the most visible trace of Prudnik's medieval fortifications and one of the town's symbols. Its stone core, brick superstructure and octagonal top under a slender spire show three building phases almost like a cross-section – from the 14th century to around 1580. After its restoration in 2006, the tower received a distinction from the Ministry of Culture in the "Well-Kept Monument" competition.

History: the gate towards Biała and Głogówek

Prudnik's masonry fortifications were probably built in the 14th century, and Duke Bolesław I of Niemodlin is considered their founder. An uncertain mention of the defences relates to 1327; the first reliable record of the Lower Gate dates from 1481, when Georg of Wrbno bought the local vogt's office with jurisdiction over the gate area. The town had two gates: the Upper Gate, also called the Nysa Gate, towards Nysa and Głuchołazy, and the Lower Gate, facing Biała and Głogówek. The walls, about 1,100 metres long, enclosed a town and castle covering just under 13 ha.

A nice detail from the records: in 1532 about 900 carp a year were caught in the moat, and the two gatekeepers each earned 7 marks and 2 groschen a year. By the 18th century the walls had no military value, and most of them were pulled down in the 19th century – sources point to 1868. The tower survived.

How the tower grew

• 14th century – a square tower of unworked stone with walls about 2 m thick and about 10 m high; the ground floor held a prison dungeon, and the entrance was at first-floor level above the gateway.
• Second half of the 15th century – a 5 m brick superstructure and a wooden defensive gallery at a height of about 11 m.
• Around 1580 – the roof and gallery were replaced by a two-storey octagonal section 7 m high with keyhole loopholes, topped by a slender spire with a defensive walkway; four stone gargoyles drained rainwater from it.

What else to see nearby

Besides the tower, a stretch of wall survives with the so-called Arsenal and two towers – the Executioner's Tower and the Little Tower – at the corner of Bolesława Chrobrego and Bolesława Krzywoustego streets. This section was recently restored: both towers got new roofs, and the Executioner's Tower was raised and given battlements. The towers house the Prudnik Land Museum.

Tripto tips

The tower is seen from outside, free of charge and at any time; the best view is from Batorego Street. 15 minutes is enough for photos and a walk around it; combined with the walls by the Arsenal, allow about an hour. Tourist information is available from the Prudnik Municipality Promotion Office (tel. +48 77 406 62 63). Prudnik lies right by the Czech border, so it is easy to combine with a trip to the Opava Mountains.