Vysoká brána, Medieval city gate in Rakovník, Czech Republic.
Vysoká brána is a substantial stone gateway with a tall rectangular tower located in Rakovník in the Czech Republic. The structure combines medieval fortification elements with architectural details from various periods and features solid stonework with visible construction joints.
Vysoká brána replaced an older gate after the ruler authorised new fortifications in 1471. Building materials were prepared in 1518, foundations laid in spring 1519 under Prague master Jan Chochola, and work stopped after scaffolding collapsed in 1521; master Pavel of Loun took over. The tower was plastered in 1524 and a warning bell installed in 1527.
The gate's 1523 decoration includes carved coats of arms of Rakovník's guilds — barbers, maltsters, butchers, clothmakers, bakers, millers, shoemakers, tailors, coopers, smiths and tanners. Since the 1980s the tower has opened in summer as a lookout, managed by the Museum T. G. M. Rakovník, which holds exhibitions inside.
The tower is open to the public as a lookout only in the summer season, a practice dating from the 1980s, and is run by the T. G. M. Rakovník Museum. The first three floors are linked by an external spiral staircase on the east wall, the upper floors by an internal wooden staircase. A separate small gate for pedestrians stands beside the main gate on the west side.
The tower's corners carry stone gargoyles shaped as a lion, a frog, a boar and a townsman. On the north facade a preserved foregate with a gallery, crenellations and cross-shaped loopholes survives, and a small pedestrian gate stands beside the main passage on the west side.
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