Amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Krkonoše Mountains, on the edge of the Jelenia Góra region of Jagniątków, there is a true pearl of architecture and culture – the “Łąkowy Kamień” villa. It was here that Gerhart Hauptmann found his refuge. He was an outstanding playwright, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1912, and one of the most important representatives of German naturalism. His greatest works were created in this extraordinary residence, while today it houses a museum dedicated, among other things, to his life and work. Among the numerous rooms, one attracts attention in a special way. The Paradise Hall is a magical hall that delights from the first glance.
Hauptmann’s villa – castle on a hill
Hauptmann began building the villa in 1900, shortly after purchasing a plot of land situated on a hill overgrown with grasses and scattered formations of granite rocks. Berlin architect Hans Grisebach was responsible for the design of the house with its distinctive tower, a mixture of historicist and neo-Renaissance styles. After just one year, the monumental residence was ready. The robust yet elegant villa, whose name “Wiesenstein” (meaning “Meadow Stone”) perfectly reflected both its character and its unique location. The windows and terrace offered a panoramic view of the Krkonoše Mountains – a landscape that inspired Hauptmann’s work on more than one occasion.
Hauptmann’s villa. Photo author: Marek W/photopolska.eu
Paradise Hall and its birth
Although the villa itself was impressive in its grandeur from the start, the staircase only gained its stunning appearance in 1922. On the occasion of Gerhart Hauptmann’s 60th birthday, his friend and artistic collaborator, the painter Johannes Maximilian Avenarius, undertook to decorate the hall space. Work on the decoration of the spacious room lasted eight months. During this time, the artist covered the walls and ceiling with paintings on various themes. The polychrome paintings depict biblical and floral motifs, characters from mythology and Hauptmann’s plays, as well as portraits of family members, including the writer’s wife Margarethe Marschalk and son Benvenut. This is how the Paradise Hall (Paradieshalle) was born – a place which to this day is the most fascinating part of the writer’s former home and one of the most beautiful interiors in Jelenia Góra. The design and execution of the paintings were probably financed by Max Pinkus, a Jewish entrepreneur from Prudnik and a devoted friend of Hauptmann.
An atmosphere from another world
The centre of the Paradise Hall is dominated by a massive, carved wooden staircase leading up to the emporium. Their light-coloured steps are covered with an intense pink carpet – a surprising detail, but one that fits perfectly with the theatrical mood of the interior. The floor of the room is covered with terracotta in shades of brown and blue, arranged in a geometric mosaic. In addition, a striking fireplace is located under the emporium. Every detail here seems to have been thought through: from the ornate columns and balustrades to the subtle chiaroscuro painted by the sconces and stained glass in the windows. Paradise Hall acts on the senses like a portal to a reality woven from imagination. Scenes from a fairy tale come alive in vivid colours of red, green, yellow and blue, seamlessly filling the entire space up to the ceiling. The cross-ribbed vault, painted deep blue and illuminated by the subtle glow of gold lamps, resembles a starry night sky. This effect completes the magic of the place and gives it an almost mystical feel.
Paradise Hall: a place that speaks
Gerhart Hauptmann called his villa “a castle of defiance and defence” and “a reconstruction of the soul”. No wonder – it was here, in the seclusion of the mountain landscape, that his most important works were created. Gerhart Hauptmann died on 6 June 1946 at his home in Jagniątków. Paradise Hall, although it served as a representative hall, was much more than that. It was a symbol of creative transformation and a space where the real world met the spiritual. Looking at it from today’s perspective with an objective eye, technically and compositionally the painting adorning the room is not perfect, but the colours and panache of the entire polychrome cause great admiration among viewers.
A museum full of history
Today, the Meadow Stone Villa serves as the Municipal Museum “Gerhart Hauptmann House” in Jelenia Góra. The mission of the institution is not only to commemorate the work of the Nobel Prize winner, but also to popularise the multicultural heritage of Lower Silesia. The seven exhibition rooms include the writer’s original study, his library, dining room and numerous documents, letters, first editions of his works, as well as a modern multimedia exhibition. The museum is vibrant with cultural life, organising conferences, author meetings, workshops and literary and educational events.
Source: The Municipal Museum “Gerhart Hauptmann’s House” in Jelenia Góra
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