Tower in Stołpie

The tower in Stołpie is a medieval monument located in the Lublin Voivodeship, approximately 8 km from Chełm. Its history dates back to 1259, when Prince Daniel of Halych built the tower as a defensive structure for the city. The tower may also have had a sacral function, suggested by the presence of a chapel on its top floor and local legends about the miraculous properties of water from the springs at its base. The ruins of the tower, originally constructed from conglomerate rock and brick, continue to attract the attention of archaeologists and historians. Throughout the 20th century, multiple studies were conducted, revealing that the tower was used in at least three distinct phases and that its structure may have been modified over time. A fire at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries led to the tower falling into ruin. Specialized archaeologists have pointed to its connections with Rus'-Byzantine culture, and dendrochronological studies suggest that the structure underwent secondary militarization in the 1280s. The tower was also part of a larger fortified complex, which was never rebuilt after its destruction. An interesting fact is that in 1925, the tower was visited by Marshal Józef Piłsudski. Today, the structure is topped with a wooden roof, which serves to protect its remains. The site has long attracted interest due to its legends and mysterious aura, as well as its unique architectural and historical features. Archaeological research and historical documents clearly confirm the tower's importance both in terms of defense and the spirituality of the local community.