9 Retoryka street in Kraków, Art Nouveau townhouse in Retoryka Street, Kraków, Poland
The townhouse at 9 Retoryka Street is a five-story residential building with a richly decorated facade displaying organic forms, floral patterns, and intricate stone carvings throughout its surface. Decorative elements cover the entire front of the structure, giving it a distinctive visual presence.
The structure was designed and built in 1891 by architect Teodor Talowski during a period when Kraków was undergoing significant urban development and expansion. This construction phase reflected the city's growing prosperity and architectural ambitions.
The building's name, House Under the Donkey, comes from a traditional Polish custom of naming structures after decorative details on their facades. This practice made it easier for people to identify and remember their addresses in the neighborhood.
The building is located in central Kraków among other historical structures, making it easy to find and walk past. Visitors can view the facade from the street, though the interior is not open to the public.
The building stands out for its asymmetrical window arrangements and varied stone textures that depart from standard architectural patterns of the period. This unconventional approach shows the designer's willingness to experiment with fresh forms in his work.
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