Until a few years ago, it was an abandoned ruin in danger of collapsing. At the time, the villa at 23A Cieszyńska Street in Bielsko-Biała aroused fear rather than admiration. Today, thanks to careful renovation, the building shines in a new splendour, attracting the gaze of passers-by. The effects of the renovation are proof of how much can be achieved by combining passion, commitment and care for cultural heritage.
The history of the villa on Cieszyńska Street dates back to the late 18th century. It was originally a small residential house, already marked on the cadastral plan of 1836. In its present form, the villa was built before 1914, when the owner decided to significantly rebuild and extend it.
The year 1934, Cieszyńska Street – in the foreground, villa no. 23A. Source: “Bielsko-Biała and surroundings – history written by postcard”, Monika Ćwikowska-Broda, Wiesław Ćwikowski – Oficyna Wydawnicza M-C, Bielsko-Biała 2008
On the garden side, the building gained an imposing character – a representative section was added with a terrace, fan-shaped staircase and elegant gate, which gave the building an almost palace-like expression. The villa also had a gabled roof with an eaves, and its architectural details – such as the classicist façade decoration and modernist door and window woodwork – emphasised its unique style. In the following decades, the building fell into disrepair and almost complete oblivion.
The long-awaited renovation work began two years ago and was carried out under the close supervision of the city’s conservation officer, Jacek Konieczny. The first stage involved securing the building and repairing the roof, for which Bielsko-Biała councillors allocated PLN 450,000. By covering it with modernist plain tiles, it regained its former glory.
Photo: Google Maps and bielsko.biala.pl
The second phase focuses on the façade, window and door joinery. PLN 279,000 was allocated from this year’s city budget for this purpose. All the work was completed with funds donated by the owner of the villa – a representative of the Micherdziński family, who has been associated with the place for years.
Photo: bielsko.biala.pl
The effect of the renovation impresses with its attention to detail. As part of the works, the classicist façade was restored with modernist elements, as was the garden façade, enriched with a decorative risalit and stairs. Of particular interest is the side elevation with its semi-elliptical risalit and glazed windows in the arcades, which once again show their former splendour.
Photo: Google Maps and bielsko.biala.pl
Thanks to the cooperation of the local government, the owners and the city’s conservation officer, the former symbol of neglect has become a real architectural gem, reminding us of Bielsko-Biała’s rich history. Today it is hard to believe that not long ago the building was in danger of collapsing.
Source: bielsko.biala.pl
Read also: Bielsko-Biała | Architecture in Poland | Tenement house | Elevation | Monument | whiteMAD on Instagram
