Badania archeologiczne a odbudowa Zamku Królewskiego i jego otoczenia

The plan for the reconstruction of the Royal Castle and its surroundings, which was first put into life in 1971, took into consideration results of archaeological and architectonic findings of the earlier excavation work. At the same time further studies were carried out^ along with the commencement of constructional work, uncovering — on some occasions — elements not included in the plan. This made it necessary to undertake immediate decisions on the future of the structures. As rule, substantial criteria were employed; still the prevailing requirement arose from the concept of the plan of the construction as well as from economic considerations. Two medieval structures were preserved, completed and put out for use. They were: cellars of the building of the District Court of Justice (14th/15th cent.) at the west wing of the castle (photo 1) and the Bridge in front of the Cracow Gate (2nd half of the 15th cent.) in the Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) (photo 9). The following elements were preserved under the ground: escarp of the Big House (1st half of the 15th cent., photo 2), foundations of pilaster-strips (2nd half of the 18th cent.) which had supported already non-existing balcony of the 1st floor of the Middle Projection (photo 4) and one of finely built waste-water wells. Because of the impossiblity of complying with the construction plans the following parts got destroyed: the foundation in front of the west elevation of the Big House, bespeaking of the intention to reconstruct the House in 1778 by Dominik Merlini (photo 7), extensive parts of the revetment (2nd quarter of the 18th cent.) on the East Terrace (photo 8) and all relicts of the structures on the Castle Square, uncovered at the time of its lowering in 1977 (photo 10). Because of the extent of adaptation costs it was impossible to preserve two 17th- century cellars in the building at 2, Podwale street (in the west part of the earlier mentioned Bridge) and three 18th- century cellars at 4, Podwale street (photos 11, 12, 13).