Stara Prochownia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stara Prochownia (English: The Old Gunpowder Depot) is a historic building in Warsaw's Old Town. It is located on ulica Boleść, just below the New Town and the Barbican, on the Wisła River escarpment. The building was initially constructed in 1582 as one of the gates in the city walls of Warsaw. Unlike other gates, it was built to prevent fire from spreading from the densely-built-up Old Town to the newly-built wooden bridge that crossed the river. The gate gained the name Brama Mostowa (Bridge Gate). Although the bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1603, and subsequent bridges were built to the south, the name stuck.
In 17th century, when the city walls lost their strategical significance in warfare, the gate was converted into a gunpowder depot, which gave its name to the contemporary name. Expanded between 1648 and 1649 it served its new role until 1769, when it was converted into a city prison. Around that time it was also expanded (possibly by Jan Fontana) along the Boleść Street. Further expansion was done between 1796 and 1806.
Following the November Uprising and the Russian decision to erect the Warsaw Citadel, in 1833 the prison had been liquidated and the building was refurbished to become a private house. After the World War II parts of the building were rebuilt in their 18th century form and currently Stara Prochownia houses a theatre.
