Niedźwiadek Tower

Niedźwiadek Tower

The oldest preserved fragment of the city walls ring. It is situated between the streets of Piaskowa and Krasińskiego, behind Market Hall. It dates from the 13th century and consists of the tower and some fragments of walls. When the fortification was being built, there was only a bay window there which allowed one to strike an enemy. The tower was enlarged in the 15th century and got a square plan, embrasures and a cannon post. As the city started to spread, the tower remained within the internal ring of the city walls and lost its military importance. This is why it was not pulled down in 1807 when on the orders of Napoleon the city walls were demolished. Later it served various purposes and survived in good condition until 1945. After being destroyed during World War II it was reconstructed between 1957 and 1958 by Mirosław Przyłęcki. This is also when the tower got its nick name (Bear's Tower) as in the south-eastern corner a stone relief representing a bear was fixed, having been found in the ruins near Łaciarska Street. At present it is a seat of Polish Students' Society and there is also a restaurant.