Rector’s Palace Tower

The Rector’s Palace Tower was located at the south eastern corner of the Rector’s Palace and it was its largest and the most important tower. It controlled the access from the sea and the gate on the city wall, which, along with the Fish Market Gate, was the only one from the seaside. In the preserved sources, it was mentioned only in 1350 in connection with repairs, and in 1366 in a list of guard posts. The year of construction is not known, but according to chroniclers, it dates back to the second half of the 13th century.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, the city clock was located on the tower. There were also bells used to announce council sessions, being also used by the cathedral church, therefore in preserved sources, this tower was also recorded as the Bell Tower (turris campanaria). The Rector’s Palace Tower was also storing ammunition for cannons, so in 1432 a decision was made to carry out repairs because it was leaking and damaging the cannon ammunition. In 1433, a vault was built inside it to better preserve the gunpowder and saltpetre. The fire that broke out in the armoury in 1435 caused significant damage to the tower. In 1441, gunpowder was once again stored in the repaired tower, which in 1463 led to a catastrophic explosion that caused significant damage to the Rector’s Palace.

The Rector’s Palace Tower, which was important for the defence of the Palace and the city from the very beginning due to its location, later lost its defensive function, and the upper floor of the tower was repurposed for residential use as a part of the Rector’s Palace.