Italian House, Renaissance tenement house in Main Market Square, Kraków, Poland

The Italian House is a Renaissance tenement on the Main Market Square featuring four stories and a Mannerist portal at its entrance. A Latin inscription 'Te cum habita' is carved above the main doorway, adding a personal touch to the facade.

Sebastian Montelupi established Poland's first postal service from this location in 1569, creating regular communication between Kraków and Venice. This connection became vital for trade and cultural exchange between Poland and Italy during the Renaissance.

After the Montelupi family died out, the house passed to the Cortini family and in the second half of the 17th century to the Italian Brotherhood, an association of Italians living in Kraków. The building was also one of the centres of Italian culture in the city.

The house stands at Rynek Główny 7, on the eastern side of the Main Square in the Old Town. The ground-floor hall and courtyard can be entered from the street; the two upper floors hold a hostel, so access beyond the hall depends on the hostel. A plaque under the gate marks the 1569 departure of the first royal courier to Venice.

The original ceiling in the hallway bears the heraldic symbols of the Montelupi family, while the courtyard features a 16th-century portal that was relocated from elsewhere. These architectural details reveal the craftsmanship and family pride of the period.