Historically linked to one of the most important Italian-Polish families, first merchants (Montelupi) and then magnates (Wilczogórski).

History

A Gothic house from around 1300 erected on the site before it was thoroughly rebuilt in the years 1556-1561. Originally, a large, twelve-aisle hall with a cross vault supported by pillars preceded the building from the front. According to researchers, it was a representative chamber which hosted, among others, city celebrations. Over time, a stoop and a second floor were added. This Renaissance reconstruction was most likely carried out by Italian masons. After 1570 the building was used by the new owners, the Montelupi family. Attached to the style of city palaces of Italy, they made a few more changes, for example, placed their coat of arms in several spots. They were awarded their heraldic privileges in 1567 along with ennoblement (some researchers claim that the certificate was forged). They also made sure that the tradition of holding lavish parties in the house would not die out. The building witnessed the wedding (per procura) of Maryna Mniszchówna and False Dmitry I. Part of the building was occupied by Poland-first post office established by Sebastian Montelupi in 1558 and reorganised in 1569. After the Montelupis died out, the house was taken over by the Cortini family, and in the second half of the 17th century by the Italian Fraternity, an association of the Italians residing in Kraków. In the 19th century, the house was combined with house no. 8. It was home to a German theatre and Maliszewski’s confectionery, the first one in Kraków serving ice cream (1822). At the end of the 19th century, the house was restored according to the design by Władysław Ekielski. Today, the building still fulfils commercial and hotel functions.

Description

The house does not specifically stand out among other buildings of Rynek Główny. Its four-level and four-axis classicist façade is almost free from any decorations. Only the prominent window frames try to overcome this apparent monotony. A mannerist portal with a Latin maxim, Te cum habita, leads to a spacious vestibule. The introduction of rough rustic elements in Polish architecture, owing to Serlio’s influence, was attributed to the Kraków designer community. The coat of the Montelupi family can be seen on the vestibule vault. Leading out into the courtyard is a mid-16th-century portal moved from house no. 8. Nearby, there is a Baroque bas-relief of St Florian from the 17th century. On the façade, there is a plaque of 1969 commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Polish Post.

The site is partly available: freely from the outside but inside only during the working hours of the stores.

Author of the note Roman Marcinek, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Kraków 20-07-2017

Bibliography

• Encyklopedia Krakowa, Warszawa – Kraków 2000. 
• Fabiański M., Purchla J., Historia architektury Krakowa w zarysie, Kraków 2001
• Komorowski W., Sudacka A., Rynek Główny w Krakowie, Ossolineum 2008
• Łuszczkiewicz W., Sukiennice krakowskie. Dzieje gmachu i jego obecnej przebudowy, Kraków 1899
• Marcinek R., Kraków, Kraków 2001
• Rożek M., Przewodnik po zabytkach i kulturze Krakowa, Kraków 1993