Stągiewna Gate

Stągiewna Gate, also known as the Milk Churns, is a historic city gate located on Granary Island in Gdańsk. Built in the early 16th century as part of the city's fortifications, its unique shape, resembling traditional milk churns (stągwie), gives it a distinctive character. In the 17th century, the gate underwent reconstruction, which significantly influenced its architecture. Tragedy struck Stągiewna Gate during the siege of Gdańsk in 1813, when part of the structure was destroyed. Further devastation occurred in 1945, when its interiors were burned out and the roofs collapsed. Between 1972 and 2012, the gate served as the headquarters of the ARPO Cooperative of Polish Visual Artists, which purchased the building in the 1990s and sold it in 2012. The total area of the gate is 400 m². Additionally, the structure includes the Little Churn (Sahnentopf), the Great Churn Tower, and heraldic emblems on the Great Churn, all of which enhance its artistic and historical value. Stągiewna Gate is a fascinating landmark that combines architectural and cultural elements, standing as a witness to Gdańsk's turbulent history.