Gaol Tower in Gdańsk, Renaissance tower in central Gdańsk, Poland
The Gaol Tower stands at the intersection of Długa Street and Długi Targ square, displaying Renaissance and Baroque elements across multiple levels. The structure combines fortification functions with prison rooms within solid masonry that survives to this day.
The tower originated in medieval times as part of the city's defense system and later served as a prison building for Gdańsk. It played an important role in law enforcement and city security across several centuries.
The tower displays exhibitions about local judicial systems through different periods with artifacts and documents from its time as a detention facility. Visitors can see how the treatment of prisoners and legal practices changed over the centuries.
The tower is open daily during warmer months and can be visited with guided tours available in several languages. Visitors should know that the stairs are narrow and climbing requires physical effort.
The lower sections contain original prison cells with stone walls bearing inscriptions left by inmates from different centuries. These handwritten markings offer a direct glimpse into daily life behind bars.
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