Mauretanian Tower

The Mauretanian Tower is the oldest of six surviving towers of the defensive walls of Cistercian Abbey in Sulejów, in the Podklasztorze district. It dates from the late 15th century and stands at the south-western corner of the monastic complex.

Shape and construction

The tower is built of brick and has an atypical plan for this type of structure: resembling a horseshoe, that is, semicircular in shape. This form distinguishes it from the other towers in the complex and is one of the features by which it can be easily recognised against the backdrop of the walls.

Defensive function

The tower guarded the entrance to the monastery from the side where it still stands today, as part of the defensive system encircling the entire abbey. The walls with towers were built in stages between the 15th and 17th centuries, and the Mauretanian Tower, as the oldest of them, marks the beginning of this expansion.

Part of a larger complex

The Mauretanian Tower does not stand in isolation from the rest of the monastery. Together with the neighbouring Knight's Tower, it forms part of the abbey's defensive walls, which encircle the monastic buildings and the ruins of the Abbot's Palace. The entire complex was recognised as a Historical Monument on 22 October 2012, as one of the best-preserved Cistercian complexes in Poland.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Opacka 13A, Podklasztorze, Sulejów.
• The tower is visited as part of a tour of the abbey complex, together with the Knight's Tower and other elements of the defensive walls.
• Nearby is also battle shelter Ringstand 58c.
• It is worth checking the visiting rules and opening hours for the tower itself before your visit, as part of the complex functions as an active monastery.