Dwór kapituły krakowskiej – obecnie Muzeum miasta Pabianic

Chapter of Cracow fortified manor, called "castle" by the locals, is a precious monument of Polish renaissance architecture.

Description

The manor was built on a rhomboid plan, close to a square. It has two oriels on opposite corners. It is a three-storey building, with a basement and a tall, decorative parapet. The facade looks into the south, and in the southern and northern side there are blind arcades. Other interesting elements are: a 19th century tower in the west or a Latin inscription "Sic Transit gloria mundi" ("Thus passes the glory of the world") under one of the windows. Inside, you can admire wooden ceilings and 16th century murals.

Date or time of building

1565 r. (XVI w.)

1565–1571.

History

In the 14th and 15th century a wooden office of property administration stood in this place. The next wooden building belonged to the Chapter of Cracow. Because of the material they were built of, the buildings did not stand the test of time. Between 1565 and 1571 a new masonry residence, designed by Wawrzyniec Lorek, was erected. It was used as a residence of priest Stanisław Dąbrowski and an office for the Chapter land administration. For defense reasons, it was surrounded by a wooden fence and the system of ditches filled with water.

The building served the Chapter well until 1796.During the Partitions it became the property of Prussian government and was the seat for the office of Prussian property administration. In early 19th century, during an intensive development of textile industry in Pabianice, authorities the "castle's" rooms for workshops to incoming German weavers and cloth makers. Since World War II the manor belonged to the Museum of Pabianice. Currently, various exhibitions and events take place there, for instance The Night of Museums. In the manor's backyard , along the Dobrzynka river, stretches a small Juliusz Słowacki's Park.

Curious details

The manor in Pabianice is the most northern example of the castellum. Castella were popular in the southern part of the country. Until this day you can admire castella in Lesser Poland , for instance in Szymbark or Frydman village.

Object location

The manor lies in the centre of Pabianice, at the Dobrzynka river, opposite the St. Matthew's Church.

Accessibility

Access during the working hours of the Museum of Pabianice: Tues. and Thurs. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wed. and Fr. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.