Wyniki badań archeologiczno–architektonicznych XVIII-wiecznego budynku bramnego zespołu gospodarczego pałacu biskupów krakowskich w Kielcach

In January and February 2007, architectural supervision of earthwork performed during the demolition of building no.7 (former baths for prisoners) of a 19th century prison complex took place. The main aim of the demolition works was to reach a building of an 18th century gate leading to the Bishops’ farm complex (present City Park). In order to establish stratigraphy of cultural layers and to carry out further architectural analysis, architectural-archeological research was carried out in April 2008. The main objective of the research was to establish levels serving for use in the 18th century and structures of archeological layers older than the 18th century (dating from before the construction of the Palace’s farm buildings) as well as to define means of communication in the gate (ramp, stairs) and the degree of ground exposition from a historical period. Following the demolition works of the former prison baths, three test pits were constructed: the first one was situated inside the gate building, the second – by the southern wall of the gate building (close to the park) and the third one – on the northern side of the surrounding defence wall (Picture 1). During the archeological research it was possible to reconstruct a design plan of the gate building (10x7.5m, wall width 1.1 – 1.2m – Picture 1). The gate building was constructed as an addition to the surrounding wall. The remains of the wall as well as historic material excavated during the works point to the fact that both the building and the wall were constructed at the same time. Moreover, levels serving for use were detected inside the gate on its western side, within the gate opening (269.43m above the sea level) and in the northern and southern wall (269.23m above the sea level). The level serving for use outside the gate was 268.73 m above the sea level and from the side of the courtyard 269.73m above the sea level. Taking into account the data available, the conclusion was drawn that the differences were leveled by means of the ramp of 5º slope. (Picture 7) A well-preserved canal dating from the beginning of the 19th century constituted an important research problem. One part of the canal running south-west from the southern wall to the gate opening is still to be explored; however, it is important to take into account all safety regulations as it is not situated deep under the current level of the city park posing the risk of collapse.