The Water Gate (Polish: Brama Wodna), built at the beginning of the 14th century, is the only town gate in Grudziądz still preserved today. It was used to enter the town and the castle from the side of the then harbour square, i.e. from the bank of the Vistula. At night it was closed with a wooden, iron-barred portcullis, which secured access to the town.
The water gate was burnt down in 1659 and again in 1945. After the Second World War, it was extensively restored and now houses the Town Museum.
The town fortifications
The town fortifications were built in the early 14th century. There were four gates leading into the town: Wodna, Toruńska, Boczna and Łasińska. The former Castle of the Teutonic Order could be reached from the town through the castle gate, which was connected to the outer bailey of the fortress.
Ten defence towers were built on the town walls. Over the centuries, the walls have been systematically extended and reinforced. At the end of the 19th century, they were partially demolished in the course of the town expansion. The south-eastern corner with the basement of a tower has been preserved. At the southern wall there is a water tower, which used to draw water from the Trynka Canal (which now flows underground). The water supply tower is one of the oldest water supply systems in Poland.
