Mury Obronne w Lwówku Śląskim, Medieval defensive walls in Lwówek Śląski, Poland.
Mury Obronne w Lwówku Śląskim is a fortification system made of two concentric rings of walls built from local sandstone. The inner wall reaches heights of up to 12 meters, while the outer wall measures around 6 to 8 meters, together forming a dual protection system.
Construction of the defensive walls began before 1261, with the first ring completed by 1301. A second phase of expansion ran from 1435 to 1494, significantly extending the town's protective system.
The three main gates - Lubańska, Złotoryjska, and Bolesławiecka - shape the town layout and show how medieval residents moved through their fortified city. These passages reveal how trade and urban life were organized around controlled entry points.
Sections of the wall between Krawczyńskiego and Konopnicka streets show damage and are undergoing conservation work. Visitors should watch for restricted or limited-access areas and follow safety notices.
The dual wall construction was unusual for medieval towns in the region and shows distinctive strategic thinking for city defense. This two-ring system allowed defenders to trap attacking forces in the narrow space between both walls.
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