A staircase that is a masterpiece. It adorns the House of the Abbots of Pelplin in Gdańsk

One of the most valuable townhouses dating from pre-war Gdańsk still features a remarkable wooden staircase. The 17th-century balustrade, featuring a bas-relief scene depicting ‘Susanna and the Elders’, has survived rebuilding, the ravages of war and subsequent renovations. This small masterpiece adorns the House of the Abbots of Pelplin at 3 Elżbietańska Street.

The House of the Abbots of Pelplin, built in 1612

The House of the Abbots of Pelplin was built in 1612 right next to the Radunia Canal, during the heyday of Gdańsk architecture and the Dutch Mannerist style. The design is attributed to Abraham van den Block, one of the most outstanding Gdańsk architects and sculptors of the era. The six-storey, brick townhouse features a three-bay layout, a three-axis façade and a striking gable. Red brick was combined here with light-coloured sandstone, which was used, amongst other things, for the portal and decorative elements. Interestingly, the façade once had an even more distinctive and graphic colour scheme. In the 19th century, its brick face was painted red, and the joint lines were highlighted in black. During conservation work, traces of former gilding were also discovered on the portal.

The origins of the house at 3 Elżbietańska Street

The name of the tenement house derives from the Cistercians of Pelplin. In 1686, it was purchased by the Pomeranian Voivode, Władysław Łoś, for his brother, the abbot of the Pelplin monastery. The building served the monks as a town inn with rooms for clergy and laypeople. After the dissolution of the monastery in 1823, it continued to operate as the ‘Pelplinische Herberge’. In later years, the tenement house changed hands and served various purposes, including housing flats. In the 19th century, the interior of the historic building was remodelled, dividing the Great Hall into two storeys to create additional usable space. Following the town’s acquisition of the tenement in 1911, extensive conservation work was carried out. The House of the Abbots of Pelplin regained the original height of its hall at that time, and the polychrome staircase and stone decorations were restored. It was during this period that a sculpture of a soaring eagle was added to the gable.

Staircase with a biblical scene

Although the tenement’s façades are very impressive and admired by many, the building’s interior conceals a real treasure. A wooden staircase has been preserved in the Great Hall. Its 17th-century balustrade is adorned with balusters, arcades and other carved elements, whilst the casing features a bas-relief depicting the biblical story of ‘Susanna and the Elders’. The scene tells the story of a young woman wrongly accused by two judges. Thanks to the intervention of the prophet Daniel, their lie is exposed.

The wooden staircase is particularly valuable as it constitutes a preserved fragment of the tenement house’s original décor. During conservation work in 1912, they were restored along with the interior of the hallway. Their carved decoration best illustrates the craftsmanship of Gdańsk’s artisans of yesteryear: they were able to transform an everyday item of domestic furnishings into an intricately decorated work of art.

The Great Hall and the House of the Abbots of Pelplin, which survived the war

The Great Hall is situated in the front section of the tenement house and, thanks to a renovation carried out in the early 20th century, has retained the form of a high, stately interior typical of Gdańsk’s historic houses. Alongside the fairy-tale – or perhaps it would be more accurate to say biblical – staircase, the space is complemented by wooden fittings, doors and details associated with later renovations, including the wall tiles. Although they were produced in modern times, they are modelled on 18th-century tiles from Amsterdam.

The House of the Abbots of Pelplin has yet another unique feature. It survived the hostilities of 1945 in relatively good condition, whilst a vast part of historic Gdańsk was destroyed. In the Old Town, losses were estimated at 90 per cent of the built environment. The main structure of this tenement house survived, whilst the damage was confined primarily to the outbuilding. It is not known whether its survival was down to chance, the building’s location or the course of the fighting in this part of the city. One thing is certain: on Elżbietańska Street, an authentic, unique and priceless fragment of the old city has been preserved. Since 1995, the building has belonged to the University of Gdańsk and houses the Institute of Art History; for this reason, it is not open to the public on a day-to-day basis. It has recently undergone renovation, which has brought out the most important features of its Mannerist architecture.

Source:gedanopedia.pl,gdansk.pl

See also:Architecture in Poland | Historic monument | Tenement house|History|Gdańsk