Jacek Tower

Jacek Tower is a historic tower in Gdańsk, built around 1400, and is the tallest among the medieval towers of the city. It is located on Pańska Street, adjacent to the Baszta na Podmurzu. The structure features an octagonal form, with eight levels including three vaulted shooting positions on the lower floors and a basement dungeon. The tower stands 36 meters tall, with a 22-meter-high main section whose walls range in thickness from 2.5 meters to 1.2 meters. The tower was constructed at the northwestern corner of the second defensive wall of the Main Town, allowing for observation of potential threats from the direction of the Old Town. In the 14th century, access to the interior was provided by a guard's walkway, while an external gallery—machicolations—enabled defense against attackers. In 1556, a tall tented roof was added, and the structure lost its defensive functions. After World War II, when the tower was damaged, it was rebuilt by 1955 to its 1556 form. In 1962, a photography gallery began operating inside. Jacek Tower also served a cultural role, bearing the former German name "Kiek in de Kök," which translates to "Peek into the Kitchen," a reference to the nearby Dominican monastery. The new name, given after 1945, refers to Saint Jacek Odrowąż, who brought the Dominicans to Gdańsk in 1227. Between 2015 and 2016, the tower underwent renovations at a cost exceeding 380,000 PLN. Jacek Tower captivates with its architectural beauty, and its history is woven into the rich cultural fabric of Gdańsk, highlighting the importance of defensive structures in the Middle Ages and their impact on the city's development.