Historia

In the early 14th century Bystrzyca Kłodzka was surrounded by a single ring of city walls, erected at the alderman’s expense. Three gates were built in the line of this wall: Kłodzko Gate (14th century) north, on the axis of the road to Kłodzko (Okrzei Street), Water Gate (14th-15th century) south, on the axis of the road to Międzylesie (Podmiejska Street) and Wyszkowska or Wyszęcka (approx. 1400) on the road to Nachod. In 1580 a western Nowa Gate was built at the intersection of Kościelna and Starobystrzycka Streets. Only at the Kłodzka Gate was a gate tower, the so-called Kłodzka Tower, erected, in 14th century. Its helmet was replaced with a brick, stone one in 1568. The Kłodzko Tower was the most extensive, which can be seen on a drawing depicting Bystrzyca Kłodzka in the 1930s. The tower was constructed of two juxtaposed vertical sections with separate canopies. The higher shaft was covered with a pyramidal helmet. The tower was preceded by a semicircular section of wall with a front annex. In the 19th century the lower part of the gate tower was demolished and buildings at 13 and 15 S. Okrzei Street were added to the higher part. In the early 20th century, the facades and the pyramidal, polygonal, brick, stone helmet of the tower were not plastered. In 1975, the tower was converted into an observation tower. It was renovated between 1975-1977.

Opis

The Kłodzka Tower is located in the north-western frontage of S. Okrzei Street, within a compact development. It is made of stone, with brick alterations, currently not plastered. It is built on a square plan as a five-storey structure, with small rectangular openings arranged as needed. The entrance and shooting windows at the top floor are framed with stone. Above the shooting windows are stone gargoyles for water drainage. The tower is covered with a helmet, nowadays covered with sheet metal.

The site is accessible all year round.

Compiled by Iwona Rybka-Ceglecka, The Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Wrocław, 14 December 2015.