Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a previously undocumented medieval tower within the grounds of the former Pobernardine monastery complex, near the Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul on Bernardyńska Street.
The find, made during ongoing restoration work launched in 2022, has been hailed as a major breakthrough by researchers and conservationists alike.
The archaeological investigation, led by experts from the Edmund Mitrus Archaeological Research and Supervision Workshop, has uncovered limestone wall remnants forming a rectangular structure measuring 7.5 by 8.5 meters. With foundation walls up to 1.7 meters thick, the structure predates parts of the monastery rebuilt after a major fire in 1602. Its layout and materials suggest it was a freestanding tower—possibly defensive in nature—constructed outside the boundaries of Lublin’s known medieval fortifications.
Historical records confirm that the original Pobernardine monastery was established between 1460 and 1469, with the construction of its main church beginning in 1470 and completed in 1497. The monastery underwent multiple reconstructions due to fires in 1557 and 1602, which resulted in significant architectural changes, including the addition of new wings and a redesign in the late Renaissance style.
Architectural analysis by Dr. Eng. Arch. Krzysztof Janus from the Lublin University of Technology further supports the theory that the uncovered tower predates the known monastery structures. Janus documented brick wall fragments above floor level, believed to be part of the tower, noting stylistic features such as Gothic brickwork and evidence of repeated plastering. He estimated that the tower had multiple levels and may have functioned as an observation point within a wider medieval defense system.
Complementary finds—brick flooring, other masonry structures, and pottery shards dated to the 15th century—have helped contextualize the discovery within the broader timeline of Lublin’s development. No historical sources previously mentioned a tower at this location, raising the possibility that this may be one of the oldest known masonry structures in the city.
The find has opened new avenues for archaeological and architectural research, offering fresh insight into Lublin’s early urban layout and fortifications. It stands as a powerful reminder of the city’s layered and still partially hidden past.
Header Image Credit : Lubelski Wojewódzki Konserwator Zabytków
Sources : Lubelski Wojewódzki Konserwator Zabytków
