It plays an important role in shaping the panorama of the city from the side of Młynówka.

History

The building was constructed in stages from 1765, probably with the use of basements of older buildings, demolished in the later 17th century and early 18th century. It was used for residential and production purposes (Max Pinkus' sole leather factory). In later years, it was altered several times. Between 1945 and 1947 the building was the seat of the Franciscan monastery, then until 1972 it housed a Civic Militia station, to which partial redevelopment was related. The rooms in the east wing were converted into shops. Since 1972, the building has been the seat of the Municipal Archives. Renovations at the end of the 20th century involved, among others, raising roofs with the introduction of numerous roof windows, eliminating shop windows and returning to window openings, demolishing two outermost axes in the southern wing, and modernising the interiors.

Description

The structure is located at a short distance from the Market Square in the south-eastern direction, opposite the Franciscan monastery and church. On the other side of the structure, there is the Młynówka canal and so-called Venice of Opole, and the Castle Bridge leading to the Pasieka river with the Opole Amphitheatre and the remains of the Piast castle. The bridge adjoins a statue of the long-term mayor of Opole, Karol Musioł, unveiled in 2008. To the west, the building adjoins the "U Papy Musioła" club, behind it is a synagogue, currently the headquarters of TVP Opole.

The eastern wing, currently the Archives, is situated in the northern line of the frontage of Zamkowa Street, perpendicularly to the southern wing between Młynówka and Szpitalna Street, which can be accessed by a pass-through gate in the eastern wing. The building is built on an L-shaped floor plan, has two storeys and a usable attic. At the ground floor level, the eastern wing features eight axes and a gate (with the width equal to two window axes). The western wing facing Młynówka has ten axes. All façades are plastered, smooth, without decorations. The pass-through gate features one support with relief decoration in the plaster. The present layout of the interior of the building is a result of redevelopment.

The interior is open to visitors during the working hours of the National Archives; the building can be viewed by the public from the outside.

compiled by Ewa Kalbarczyk-Klak, Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Opole, 10-07-2014.

Bibliography

• Opole - monografia miasta, pr. zbiorowa pod red. W. Dziewulskiego i F. Hawranka, Opole 1975
• Opracowania z archiwum WUOZ w Opolu
• Opole. Dzieje i tradycja, Link B., Tarka K., Zajączkowska U. (eds.), Opole 2011.