Golden House in Gdańsk, Renaissance tenement house in Długi Targ, Poland.
The Golden House is a Renaissance building in Gdańsk featuring elaborate stone decorations, statues of cardinal virtues, and battle scenes on its distinctive Flemish Mannerist facade. The structure showcases the craftsmanship and wealth of the 17th century and stands on Długi Targ near the Artus Court.
Mayor Jan Speymann commissioned architect Abraham van den Blocke to construct the building between 1609 and 1617 during Gdańsk's economic peak. The construction occurred when the city was thriving as a major trade hub on the Baltic Sea.
The building displays Latin inscriptions above its entrance that promoted moral values, such as 'Love virtue and it will make you happy' and 'Act justly, fear no one'. These messages reflect the ideals that wealthy merchants of the 17th century wanted to display publicly.
The building stands at Długi Targ 41, directly beside the Artus Court and Neptune Fountain in the city's central tourist area. The location is easy to reach on foot and sits between the main attractions of the Old Town.
The original Italian sculptural decorations intended for the facade sank during sea transport. As a result, architects had to use elements that were originally planned for the building's rear elevation.
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