Velvarská brána, Medieval city gate and museum in Slaný, Czech Republic

Velvarská Gate is the only surviving gate of Slaný's medieval fortification, standing a few dozen metres north of Masaryk Square. Its tower reaches 38 metres on a ground plan of about 9 × 8 metres, and the passage is topped on the north side by a carved municipal coat of arms and the emblems of six town guilds. The gate houses a museum on the town's history and fortifications.

The gate is first documented in 1443, and a relief inscription on the south facade names councillors Aleš and Václav Novinka as its builders. Repaired under George of Poděbrady, it was called the New Gate, and the year 1461 survives on its south wall. Fires damaged it repeatedly in the 16th century.

Above the northern passage are carved the town coat of arms and the emblems of six town guilds. Many stones still bear the original masons' marks, and a bell cast in 1514, moved here from the burned town hall in 1795, once rang the alarm and accompanied convicts led through the gate to execution.

The gate stands a few dozen metres north of Masaryk Square, so it is reached on foot from the historic centre. The museum of the town's history and fortifications occupies the gate's interior; the copper rooster on the roof ridge and the stonemasons' marks on the blocks can be seen from outside.

The copper rooster on the roof was placed there in 1868, the year the gate was repaired instead of demolished; it remains on the summit today. The gate also holds a bell of 1514, moved from the burnt town hall in 1795, rung as an alarm and for convicts led through the gate to execution.