KRAKOW - MEDIEVAL CITY WALLS - FORTIFICATIONS - FLORIANSKA, PASAMONIKOW, JOINERS & CARPENTERS TOWERS

Since Poland is the co- host of the EURO 2012 european footbal championship and lots of famous people, footballers and their wags (like David & Victoria Beckham) will be guests of Krakow during the next few weeks I decided to briefly present the quick guide to Krakow's most interesting monuments and precious heritage relicts of the former capital city of Poland.



Medieval Krakow was surrounded by the two mile long city wall/fortification walls with 39 towers and 8 gates and their constuction began in 13th century.



Its remainings are scattered around the old town of Krakow until today and the most spectacular examples you can see on the pictures below.



All towers and gates were named after the craft guild that ocupied it and defended it during the invasion - and the four remained towers were called:

1. Pasamonikow tower ( after the manufacturers of leather accesories like belts, )
2. St Florian or Florianska Gate - the middle and the most important one as it was located on the royal route through the city - at the end of Florianska street that indirectly lead to the royal Wawel Hill with the cathedral and the royal palace It used to be connected with the other fortifications like the barbican which was remained at the front of the gate although not connected with the gate anymore.
This lovely gothic gate with supporting butresses was made of the local stone and brick, was covered with the natural clay tiles and in the baroque period was given a baroque spire . The central nishe features a stone sculpture of St Florian a patron of firemen.
3.Joiners tower
4.Carpenters tower