Jerzmanowski Palace
Kraków Monuments
A historic palace in Prokocim at Górników Street 27, in the Anna and Erazm Jerzmanowski Park, in the Bieżanów-Prokocim district. At the end of the 18th century Eliasz Wodzicki built a Neoclassical residence here with his wife in mind. On 25 June 1895 the palace was bought by Erazm Jerzmanowski for 150,000 crowns, and under his ownership the residence and the park were completely transformed: a courtyard with a fountain fed by a water tower was created in front of the building, and a new bed was laid out in the park for the Młynówka stream, which fed decorative ponds.
History
The palace in Prokocim began at the end of the 18th century as a Neoclassical residence that Eliasz Wodzicki built with his wife in mind. At the beginning of the 19th century his descendant Józef started landscaping the surrounding grounds: footpaths and a lime-lined drive were laid out, and the trees were supplemented with oaks, ashes and beeches. Towards the end of the century the estate passed to Józef Grodzicki, who commissioned the Kraków designer Karol Knaus to modernise the building. It was enlarged, given Baroque-inspired details, and a glass and metal canopy was fitted over the main entrance.
On 25 June 1895 the palace was bought for 150,000 crowns by Erazm Jerzmanowski, and it was in his time that the residence and park changed the most. In front of the building a courtyard was created with a driveway and a fountain fed by a water tower. A new channel was laid out for the Młynówka stream, which fed ornamental ponds, and lower down a reservoir was created where people went boating. The park was enriched with sculptures and little bridges. The interiors gained electricity, central heating, running water and drains. The former ballroom was turned into the owner's private study, which was also a memorial room devoted to eminent Poles and the history of the Jerzmanowski family. A luxurious stable was also built, whose walls now serve as the Augustinian church.
Jerzmanowski died in the palace on 7 February 1909, and in 1910 his wife Anna sold the whole complex to the Augustinians for 550,000 crowns. From 1911 to 1914 it housed a boys' secondary school, the "New School", where Stanisław Pigoń was among the teachers. During the First World War the palace was the quarters of the Austrian command responsible for defending the Kraków Fortress. In 1942 the Germans set up the headquarters of the Baudienst here. From 1950 it housed a state children's home, which closed in 2003. The palace and park were entered in the register of historic monuments in 1983, and in 1993 the Augustinians recovered their former property. After the children's home left the building, it became a religious house, and in 2009 the renovation of its exterior walls was completed.
A distinctive feature is the round corner projection topped with a dome, which contains the fireplace drawing room and the ballroom.
Did you know?
In Jerzmanowski's time pleasure boat trips were held on the pond below the palace, and water for the ornamental ponds flowed along a specially laid-out channel of the Młynówka stream.