Ostrów Wielkopolski’s townhouses are an extremely valuable testimony to the city’s historic architecture, showing the urban development at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Particularly noteworthy among them is the building standing at 26 Raszkowska St. It is an impressive Neo-Renaissance tenement house, the façade and interiors of which have retained their unusual historic character. The shop located on its ground floor is one of the best preserved historical interiors in the entire city, allowing one to feel the spirit of a bygone era. Currently, the place is home to the “Marcepanek” cake shop, run by Aneta Szczeblewska, who continues the family’s long-standing confectionery traditions.
26 Raszkowska Street – history and architecture of the building
The tenement house, built in 1901 by Johann Nagler (initials “JN” on the gable), represents the Neo-Renaissance style with elements of French and North German Renaissance. Its distinctive features include high mansard windows, ornate gables and a striking brick and sandstone façade. The building has a three-storey and symmetrical façade, with a central bay window topped by a turret and a bubbling cupola. The windows have profiled frames and the balconies have wrought-iron balustrades. The rusticated entrance gate stands out in the entire composition. The interior retains a wooden staircase, ceramic mosaics and a wooden door.
Historic shop décor – a unique period interior
The townhouse’s greatest treasure is the interior of the shop located on the ground floor, which has been preserved in almost unchanged condition for more than a century. Its walls are decorated with Art Nouveau ceramic decorations, divided into three levels. The lower part, imitating a plinth, is covered with dark green tiles with relief rosettes and garlands. The middle strip is distinguished by bright tiles with a lace pattern, while the upper border is decorated with floral motifs in pastel colours, contrasting with the red of the ceiling. When the Szczeblewski family took over the premises in 2013, it was in a deplorable state. The PRL-era tarnishes that had blurred the character of the historic interior were conspicuous. Under the dilapidated linoleum was the original, century-old floor, laid with ceramic tiles in a classic geometric pattern.
Both the exposed floor and the rest of the interior were meticulously renovated by the Szczeblewski family in accordance with conservation guidelines. At that time, the shop window was also replaced, restoring its former shape and character. The new elements were made of exotic wood. During the works on the side wall, it was possible to uncover a previously built-in recess (the remains of a door to an adjoining room), which is now decorated with a decorative mirror in a gold frame. Elegant details such as vintage-style wooden furniture, lace tablecloths, lamps, porcelain and other accessories make the renovated interior take visitors back to the time of the belle époque.
History of the Szczeblewski family patisserie
At present, the company shop “Marcepanek” at 26 Raszkowska St. is the second premises of the family patisserie, whose history dates back to 1980, when Zbigniew Szczeblewski began his confectionery business in Ostrów Wielkopolski at 18 Asnyka St. The company gradually developed its production, and the dynamic growth led to the construction of a new plant at 119 Strzelecka St. Between 1988 and 1990. Today, the patisserie not only continues the confectionery tradition, but also educates future masters of the profession, training students and passing on the secrets of the craft.
26 Raszkowska Street and its historic interior
The historic character of the shop’s interior is an extremely valuable part of Ostrów Wielkopolski’s heritage, being not only a testimony to a bygone era, but also an important component of the local identity. Its restored interior fully reflects the family character of the patisserie, emphasising its attachment to the town’s tradition and history. Thanks to the efforts of the Szczeblewski family, the place has regained its splendour and today attracts both locals and tourists wishing to taste not only the belle époque atmosphere, but also delicious confectionery.
Source: KamienicoweLove, zabytek.pl
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