Cracow Gate
The Cracow Gate is a brick and stone structure in the heart of Lublin's old town, made up of two main sections: a taller octagonal tower and a lower gatehouse. Its walls are reinforced with decorative carved stones, and the tower is topped with a Baroque dome that bears the royal monogram and the date 1782.
The gate was constructed in 1341 following a Tatar raid, becoming one of Lublin's main entrances for centuries. An octagonal tower was added in the 1500s, and after several fires and damages, the structure was repeatedly repaired and eventually converted into a museum starting in 1965.
The gate takes its name from the historic route that once connected Cracow, Lublin, and Vilnius, marking an important passage for travelers. Walking through it today, visitors sense how central this entrance was to the city's connection with other regions.
The gate is located in the center of the old town and is easily visible from Krakowskie Przedmieście Street. Visitors can walk around the exterior to view its brick and stone details, and when open, explore the museum inside to learn about Lublin's history.
A fire watch station once operated in the tower, with trumpeters playing the city bugle call from this spot to announce important events to residents. A clockmaker also lived in the gate to maintain the large clock on its face.
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