The Passementerie Makers' Tower in Krakow

The Passementerie Makers' Tower, likely built in the 14th or 15th century, served a defensive function within Kraków's city walls system, particularly protecting St. Florian's Gate from the eastern side. Its defense was ensured by the guild of passementerie makers, also known as braid makers, and initially, it was under the care of shoemakers. In the 19th century, there was a threat of its demolition, which was opposed by Professor Feliks Radwański, who argued that the tower protected the city from harmful winds. Thanks to his efforts, in 1817, a decision was made to preserve sections of the medieval defensive walls, including the Passementerie Makers' Tower. In 2003, it underwent a thorough renovation, and since 2007, it has been part of the Defensive Walls Tourist Route. Architecturally, it is a semicircular brick tower in the Gothic style, situated on a square stone base. The tower has three levels: the ground floor, which houses the ticket office; the first floor with exhibitions; and the second floor, which features a film room screening movies about Kraków. The upper part of the tower is decorated with a frieze and resembles a cone in shape, covered with red roof tiles. It is one of three fully preserved towers within Kraków's city walls. As an interesting fact, at the beginning of the 20th century, the motif of the Passementerie Makers' Tower appeared in a stained glass window by Józef Mehoffer, highlighting its significance in Kraków's culture.