Architecture style in Poland

Is it me or Southern Poland has different architecture than Northern? Gdansk and Krakow differ. Bielsko-Biała is words apart from say Wroclaw. I know the North used to be Prussian occupied. Imo I prefer the southern styles, they look more inviting. Gdansk leaves me cold.

Gdansk was a member of the European merchants` corporation called Hanseatic League while Krakow wasn`t. Ex- Hanseatic League cites share certain architectonic traits.

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  Lubeck in Germany
  
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  Gdansk
  

Bielsko Biała has never been as rich as Wrocław (the biggest city in Silesia) that is why their architecture differs. Wrocław`s is more splendid coz those merchants had more money. Simple.

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  Bielsko Biała
  
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  Wrocław
  

The architecture there varies depending on which side of the river you are.

Yes, exactly.

One of the most interesting cities in Poland is Zamosc.
It is a city that was built in XVI century by a nobleman Jan Zamoyski and planned to become a perfect town and an example of Renaissance architecture.

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Why? Both sides of the town were Austrian, though the western side since the Middle Ages, whereas the eastern side since 1772.

That`s enough for a difference in architecture styles. The city had always been divided into two seperate parts until 1951. Silesian Bielsko was first Czech, then Austrian from 1526. Less Poland`s Biała was always Polish until the Austrian partition in 1772.

A great site with a lot of photos:
slodkimszlakiem.wordpress.com/2019/02/20/bielsko-biala-miasto-pelne-wiedenskiej-architektury/

Another one: Two faces of the same city
kochammiasta.pl/index.php/spostrze%C5%BCenia/2-uncategorised/57-dwa-oblicza-jednego-miasta.html

Thanks for the links. Bielsko was first Polish, however.

That`s disputable. The settlement was created in 13th century under a strong influence of Czech and German settlers. Poland was divided into seperate feudal states then. Let`s say it was Polish, Czech and German. hahaha

Yes, that`s a great example of a perfect town built from a scratch.

Later communists tried to follow that example building a perfect town near Krakow, called New Steel Mills. Paradoxically, Nowa Huta was one of the most rebellious anti-communist places in Poland. hahaha

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I don't know what is it exactly but I prefer the vibes of Southern Poland. I like only Suwałki, Sopot, Gorzow Wlkp. (sp.) and Gdynia from Northern Poland it seems. In the South there are many surprises. Even Sanok and Krosno look nice to me.

I really like the old 'jugendstil' you see on balconies etc ...Sorry I don't know the word in Polish...on towns like Gorzow

is a pearl of a pre-war modernist architecture. Basically the whole city was carefully planned and built between 1919 and 1939. White elevations, green spaces, functionality and modern esthetics

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Highland architecture from Podhale/Zakopane region:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakopane_Style

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Thanks pawian! As for Rzeszów, Lublin, Kraówk, Bielsko-Biała, Tarnów etc. is their style influenced by Austro-Hungarian empire plus sone Italian influences (wealthy Poles hired Italian architects afaik)? I find architecture better in Southern Poland than in Austria and Slovakia, about on par with Hungary.

As for me liking Gdynia, it's a modern city, most of it was built in the interwar period. Sofia was also heavily modernized there so they share the tree-lined boulevards and early modernist architecture. Basically Gdynia is like a smaller Sofia-on-the-Baltic ;) Almost the same architecture.

I'm always amused by how these allegedly poor people are able to build such big houses.

Because they think like magnates and are amused by those raised as British subjects who still think, act, and settle for being latter-day serfs.

Well, it is widely believed they steal wood from state forests. So, they get timber for free, sort of. hahaha


Italian architects influence in Poland:

Zamość
Wawel Castle and other buildings in Krakow
Great Theatre, Łazienki Palace and other buildings in Warsaw

I think liking both Polish and Swedish cultures plus having mostly interwar architecture in its center like Sofia but also a sea, Gdynia could be a good place to me (ferryboats to Scandinavia!). I also like the Southern Polish cities and towns but except Krakow they're quite small so less opportunities and can't match Gdynia's clean air.

A good article here about Pniewski, Poland's best known architect:
herito.pl/en/news/bohdan-pniewski-servant-or-master-grzegorz-piatek

Merged:

Poland vs Czech Republic vs Bavaria?

Say, you like medieval and baroque architecture but also hills. Would you chose to live in:
1. Southern Poland or
2. Bavaria/Western Czech Republic?
and Why?
Are there jobs in Southern Poland?

Having lived in as well as travelled through Germany, Bavaria would without a doubt be the most majestic and breathtaking, Upper Bavaria such as Werdenfelser Land in particular!