Prisoners' Tower

The Prisoners' Tower, also called the Little Gunpowder Tower or the Smiths' Tower, is a round brick-and-stone tower in the southern part of Stargard's fortifications on the Ina. It stands on Strażnicza Street and, together with the Collegiate Church of St Mary and the remaining defensive walls, forms part of a Historic Monument (pomnik historii).

A tower from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries

It was built at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. It is cylindrical, 13 metres high, on a round stone base. Inside it is divided into four levels, each with arrow slits. The ground floor once had arcades supporting galleries, so that defenders could fire from several levels at once. The heritage register gives the material as brick.

The name and the Historic Monument

A similar Smiths' Tower was demolished in 1871, hence the present name. The name suggests that prisoners were held in the tower's rooms. By an order of the President of Poland of 17 September 2010, the tower, the collegiate church and the remaining defensive walls were designated a Historic Monument (pomnik historii). Since 2004 it has been looked after by the Brotherhood of the Knights of St John, in cooperation with the Stargard museum.

Practical information

• Address: near Strażnicza Street, Stargard.
• The rules for entering the interior depend on the caretaker and the museum, so check them before your visit. The tower can be seen from outside on a walk along the walls.
• A few dozen metres further on stands the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Queen of the World.