15 Stary Rynek Oliwski, Gothic gate house at Stary Rynek Oliwski, Gdańsk, Poland
This brick structure at Stary Rynek Oliwski displays Gothic architecture with eastern gables adorned with Gothic recesses that create visual rhythm across the facade. Robust buttresses support the northern walls, providing essential structural support to the medieval building.
Built in 1400, this structure served as the entrance to Oliwa Abbey and housed a chapel dedicated to Saint Bernard for centuries. Its religious function ended during Prussian times, though the building itself was preserved for other uses.
The building earned its name 'House of Plague' after nine monks died there during an epidemic in 1709, leaving a lasting mark on local memory. This tragic episode continues to shape how people understand this structure's role in the community's past.
The structure is located at Stary Rynek Oliwski and currently serves as headquarters for ROM nr 3 and home to the Stara Oliwa association since 2004. Visitors should know this is an active institutional building, so access to interior spaces may be limited or require prior arrangement.
Two original sundials from the 18th century remain on the building's exterior, still marking time as they have done for more than 200 years. These rare examples of astronomical timekeeping carved into the facade are often overlooked by visitors focused on the Gothic architecture.
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