This is the Wrocław Gate, or Brama Wrocławska, in Oleśnica, the only surviving medieval city gate in the old defensive walls. It was built in the first half of the fourteenth century as part of the town fortifications and is the only one left from the original four gates that once controlled entry into the town. The name comes from the road leading towards Wrocław and it was also once known as the Trzebnica Gate.
The more modern stairway arrangement which has been created to give access back to the rooms above the gate.
The tall brick tower originally had guard rooms above the passage and the gate formed part of a wider fortified circuit of walls, towers and later outer works. By the eighteenth century the walls had lost much of their military purpose, and by 1868, three of Oleśnica’s four gates were demolished because they were getting in the way of transport and development. The city was also aided by the future Frederick III (the one who was briefly Emperor and married Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter), who during a visit in 1866 decided that this gate should be saved. A very sensible move.
This Latin inscription relates to when the gate was renovated in 1614 and reads:
“Unless God protects this City with His fatherly goodness, all the care and labour of the watchmen are in vain and lost.”
This more modern sign notes that German funding was used to restore the gate, something quite appropriate given that this was formerly a Prussian gate.
There were properties on either side of the tower, but they were left burnt out following the end of the Second World War. The gateway itself has done very well to survive at all.
A photo from outside of the city walls, with the portcullis visible that would have protected the denizens inside.