Więzienie miejskie, Medieval prison building in Old Town, Wrocław, Poland.
The medieval prison is a four-wing brick structure arranged around a central courtyard on Więzienna Street in the Old Town. Its multiple floors are connected by interior staircases and outdoor galleries that give the complex its distinctive layout.
Construction started in the first half of the 14th century as a three-story brick tower. Over the following two centuries, it was expanded and developed into its complete four-wing layout by around 1500.
The basement areas that once held interrogation and punishment spaces now function as a public gathering spot where residents pass through daily. This transformation shows how the city has moved forward while keeping the building present in everyday life.
The building now serves as an institute headquarters and is visible from the street and surrounding areas. Walking around the exterior and nearby streets gives you the best view of its architectural details and how it sits within the Old Town.
A painted figure called The Prisoner gazes from a window onto Więzienna Street as part of the Wrocław Dwarfs trail route. This artwork transforms the prison building into a stop on the city's whimsical public art circuit.
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