History

The Prison Tower was built in the late 13th century as one of the thirty-seven half-shell towers forming part of a ring of defensive walls. In the second half of the 14th century, it was converted and extended upwards. In the 17th century the tower was used as a prison, and then as a gunpowder warehouse. In 1783, a gateway known as the Fire Gate was built into the town’s wall near the fortified tower. In 1821, the gate was adapted for vehicular traffic and since that time it has been called the New Gate. The Prison Tower underwent two extensive renovations involving the repair of defects in bricks and joints. The first renovation was carried out in 1900-1910, and the second in 1990.

Description

The fortified tower is located in the north-western part of the town fortifications, in Nowa Brama Street. It was built on a floor plan with a shape approximating that of a square. Its lower part is in the shape of a cuboid, whereas the upper part is shaped as a flattened cylinder, which terminates in a viewing platform, which includes a masonry conical dome. The walls of the ground floor and the first floor were built of rough stones and ceramic bricks laid on top on a lime mortar bed featuring a monk bond. Facades are unplastered. The northern part features two narrow shooting embrasures arranged axially, of which the upper one is incorporated in one of the blind windows in a triforial arrangement.

The monument is available to visitors from the outside.

Compiled by Anna Jackiewicz, Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Zielona Góra, 09-10-2014 r.

Bibliography

• Skaziński B., Lubuskie Carcassonne, Strzelce Krajeńskie 2009.