Knight's Tower in Rakowice Wielkie

The Knight's Tower in Rakowice Wielkie stands in the village in Lwówek County, a few kilometres from Lwówek Śląski. It is a three-storey defensive tower built of broken sandstone, erected after 1491 by Georg Zedlitz, who inherited a large part of Rakowice Wielkie.

History

The tower served as the residence of the managers of the local manor farm, hence its other name, the town tower. The building was rebuilt in 1696, in the 18th century, and in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 18th century the original hipped wooden roof was replaced with a mansard roof, and during later rebuilding the third floor was demolished. After the war the building survived because it was used as a warehouse, which protected it from destruction; protective renovation works were also carried out at that time.

Architecture

The rectangular structure measures about 9 by 8.5 metres and is reinforced with stone corners. On every storey there are fourteen narrow loopholes measuring 15 by 60 centimetres. Stone corbels, preserved on the elevations, once supported a wooden defensive gallery with loopholes. The original entrance was at the top of the western elevation; a new one was cut into the wall during one of the later rebuildings.

Practical information

• Address: Rakowice Wielkie, Lwówek County, the tower stands among the village's buildings.
• The building is listed on the heritage register under number A/5477/964 from 1961.
• The sources do not state whether the interior is open to visitors - the tower can certainly be viewed from outside, and it is worth asking at the Lwówek Śląski municipal office about current access before visiting.
• A few hundred metres further stands the Ducal Tower in Rakowice Wielkie, the second of the village's historic residential towers.
• In Lwówek Śląski, a few kilometres further, it is worth seeing the Market Square.
• Near the Market Square also stands the town hall.