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The Stone Lock

The Stone Lock (Kamienna Śluza), earthen fortifications known as Lunettes, the islets (Pig’s Heads) and four Maidens – the stone turrets.

  • The Stone Lock is positioned at the intersection of the Motława Arm and the Motława River. The Motława Arm and the Old Motława are characteristic water courses in the area of the Old Suburb.
  • The Stone Lock used to be a strategic element of the urban fortifications.
  • It was constructed in the 17th century.
  • The designers were Dutch engineers: Adrian Olbrants and Wilhelm Jansen Benning.
  • The Stone Lock used to be a defensive structure. If necessary, the lock made it possible to flood the eastern and southern city outskirts.
  • Apart from its defensive function, the Stone Lock also made it possible to regulate the water levels in the moats and to control the water supply to the auxiliary mill.
  • Two islets referred to as the Pig’s Heads also performed a defensive role as the points of early warning.
  • Four Maidens were barrier turrets connected by the lock walls – the breakwaters. They prevented enemies to walk on the top of the conical breakwaters.
  • At present, the Stone Lock has been heavily neglected and, unfortunately, it has been undergoing a slow deterioration process.

Memories and stories told by the inhabitants

  • People used to go fishing at the Stone Lock.
  • Children used to walk along the breakwaters for fun.

Contemporary photographs

⯆ The Stone Lock with four turrets known as the Maidens.

Gdańsk. The Stone Lock. Contemporary photographs. The Stone Lock with its stone turrets, referred to as four Maidens. The historic, hydraulic-engineering element of the urban fortifications and protection against flood in the Lower Town of Gdańsk. The object is located between the Żubr (Buffalo) Bastion and the Wilk (Wolf) Bastion, at the point where the Motława intersects with the former moat of the urban fortifications – the Motława Arm. The photograph presents some deteriorated stone elements of the Stone Lock (four turrets and the wall) rising above the level of the Motława River.

⯆ A view to the Stone Lock. The Żubr (Buffalo) Bastion in the background.

Gdańsk. The Stone Lock. Contemporary photographs. The Stone Lock with its four turrets, referred to as four Maidens. The Żubr (Buffalo) Bastion visible in the background.

Minecraft: visualisation

Gdańsk. The Stone Lock. Minecraft visualisation. The Stone Lock with its four turrets, referred to as four Maidens. The historic, hydraulic-engineering element of the urban fortifications and protection against flood in the Lower Town of Gdańsk. The object is located between the Żubr (Buffalo) Bastion and the Wilk (Wolf) Bastion, at the point where the Motława intersects with the former moat of the urban fortifications – the Motława Arm. The photograph presents the stone elements of the Stone Lock (four turrets and the wall) rising above the level of the Motława River.
Gdańsk. The Stone Lock. Minecraft visualisation. The Stone Lock with its four turrets, referred to as four Maidens. The historic, hydraulic-engineering element of the urban fortifications and protection against flood in the Lower Town of Gdańsk. The object is located between the Żubr (Buffalo) Bastion and the Wilk (Wolf) Bastion, at the point where the Motława intersects with the former moat of the urban fortifications – the Motława Arm. The photograph presents the stone elements of the Stone Lock (four turrets and the wall) rising above the level of the Motława River.
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