Carpenters' Tower in Krakow

The Carpenters' Tower, also known as Baszta Cieśli, was built in the 14th century as a square defensive tower. For over a hundred years, it was the only such structure in the city walls of Kraków, located between the Florian and Sławkowska Gates. In the 15th century, it gained a hexagonal upper section, emphasizing its Gothic architectural style. Together with the neighboring Towers of the Swordmakers and the Joiners, it formed a strong defensive complex supporting the city gates. In the 19th century, when the planned demolition of Kraków's defensive walls threatened their existence, Professor Feliks Radwański took action to protect them, arguing that the walls acted as a barrier against unfavorable winds. In 1817, he successfully secured a decision to preserve a section of the medieval wall, including the Carpenters' Tower. In 1874, the tower was transferred by the city to Prince Władysław Czartoryski as part of the Princes Czartoryski Museum. A comprehensive renovation was carried out in 2015, which included replacing the roof tiles, refurbishing the interior, and cleaning the walls. Currently, the tower is owned by the museum but is not yet open to tourists. It is also worth noting that the hexagonal section of the tower features decorative recesses, making it an architecturally interesting object. The tower is crowned with a hexagonal pyramid-shaped roof made of red tiles, and the entire structure is situated next to the Church of the Transfiguration, in close proximity to former municipal buildings, highlighting its historical and cultural significance in Kraków.