The Gate of the Elect in Pszczyna

The Gate of the Chosen Ones, also known as "Warta", is the oldest preserved part of the Pszczyna Castle complex that has remained unchanged. Built in 1687, it is situated in the southwestern part of the market square and served as the main entrance to the castle grounds. Commissioned by Baltazar Promnitz and constructed by Consilio Milius, it replaced an earlier 15th-century guardhouse. The brick and plastered building features a single-story layout with a bent wing extending southward, connecting it to the outbuilding and a round tower. Its distinctive three-sided tiled roof and seven-axis front façade with a passageway framed by a rusticated portal are notable architectural elements. The interior is partially single and partially double-trave, with features such as a barrel vault and a beamed ceiling. A stone bridge leads to the gate, and the crests of the owners of Pszczyna adorn its top. Guarded by the "chosen ones", the gate protected the castle until 1875. Today, it houses the "Café u Telemanna" and the Tourist Information Office. It is worth noting that other buildings, such as a brewery and a bakery, once stood nearby but were unfortunately demolished in the 19th century. An inscription on a stone plaque inside the gate testifies to its historical role and significance in the architecture of Pszczyna.