Wentzl Hotel and Restaurant in Kraków, budynek w Krakowie
Wentzl Hotel and Restaurant is a 16th-century house at Krakow's Market Square, created by joining two older buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries. Today it offers 18 rooms with period details like wooden beam ceilings and Persian furnishings, while its restaurant has served international and Polish dishes since 1792.
The complex was assembled in the early 16th century from two older houses, initially called 'Under the Azure Lion' after a merchant owner's coat of arms, and housed wealthy traders like the Italian Cellari family who dealt in cloth. It passed through several owners before reaching the Haller family in 1796 and later the Wentzl family, who own it today.
The building carries the name of a family that has owned it for generations and shaped the square's character. A painted image of the Madonna on the facade has been venerated by residents and visitors for centuries, giving the place spiritual meaning.
The hotel sits directly on the Market Square, offering easy access to the city center and views of St. Mary's Church. With only 18 rooms, the property is intimate in size, meaning guests can find their way easily and staff can provide attentive service.
A major fire in 1550 destroyed many surrounding buildings, but this house survived intact, which many attribute to the Madonna image painted on its facade in 1718. Visitors can still see traces of this survival story in the well-preserved structure today.
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