Regional architecture in Poland – Zakopane Style otherwise Witkiewicz Style

Hi bloggers
Today I would like to share with you an information about the style in regional Polish architecture, which is kept in my country from above hundred years.
The Zakopane Style was introduced to architecture by Stanisław Witkiewicz in the nineteenth century, and we can now find fragments of this style in present buildings. The name of the style comes from the name of the place where this style first appeared in buildings – Zakopane. Now, it is a popular touristy city comprising within  Tatry mountains. Unfortunatelyk, many tourists do not return the attention on this beautiful wooden architecture.

In the nineteenth century, Zakopane was a small village. In 1890, Stanislaw Witkiewicz settled in Zakopane. He is a painter, architect and theoretician of the art who has extended this city. He imitated on góral (the occupants of mountains) traditional building, and he added  to these the elements of secession. Witkiewicz extended the country hut so that the magnificent villa came into being. Villas were placed on high underpinning brick stones. Walls were adorned with bas-reliefs and floral and geometrical patterns. A veranda called przyłap, and a little room on the loft – wyglądy – were the different characteristic element of houses. The Zakopane style was proclaimed national style. The Witkiewicz’s  style found his imitators in different cities, not only on mountain terrains. In this style also furniture, home equipments, clothes, articles from chinas, musical instruments and souvenirs were made. The elements of góral culture also influenced composers and writers works.

At present,  museums commemorating former customs of the inhabitants of the mountains are located in ancient villages, and it is possible to examine  both traditional dresses and furniture and equipment of flats.

If  in your country there are some interesting local styles/details, please share observations about them!

By Marta Norenberg
Life Beyond Tourism University Delegate – October 2010