The Barbican was built around 1548 by architect Giovanni Battista Venetian. Together with the Gate Tower and ‘Gunpowder Gate’, it formed the so-called Zakroczymska Gate. In its history, the Barbican only once took part in the defense of Warsaw, on June 30, 1656, when the Swedes invaded the city and the Polish troops repelled the effort. In the 18th century, the Barbican was partially demolished, and in the 19th century houses were built on its ruins.During World War II, nearly the entire Barbican was completely destroyed, and after the war it was decided to rebuild the walls surrounding the former Old Town, together with the Barbican. The reconstruction was carried out on the basis of 17th-century engravings, and used brick from Gothic buildings demolished in Nysa and Wrocław.