The Patria Sanatorium in Krynica Zdrój is one of the most important realisations of Polish architecture created in the interwar period. The building, designed for Jan Kiepura, was regarded as an example of true luxury and modernity, which in the 1930s distinguished Krynica from other resorts. Today, the building is in need of comprehensive renovation work and its future is still uncertain.
Patria Sanatorium – history of its establishment
Patria was built in 1932-1934 as a private boarding house of one of the most famous Polish tenors. The design was prepared by the famous architect Bohdan Pniewski and construction was led by Zygmunt Protassewicz. When it opened, the guesthouse quickly gained notoriety for its high standard of service and the presence of famous guests. It was written about in the European press, especially after the stay of the Dutch Princess Juliana, who spent her honeymoon there. The Second World War brought a change of use. The German authorities used it as a resting place for officers and a youth centre. After the war, the building was taken over by the state and from 1949 it was used as a sanatorium. Jan Kiepura did not receive compensation for his lost property until the 1960s. In 2013, Patria was entered in the register of historical monuments.
Architecture and decoration of Patria in Krynica-Zdrój
The building on Pulaski Street is distinguished by its elaborate body with four storeys with additional mezzanines. Characteristic balconies run the entire length of the façade, and vertical reinforced concrete columns introduce rhythm. The entrance is accentuated by a revolving door and a superstructure with an exit to the terrace, which features a neon sign. The interiors were designed from the outset to be very luxurious. Marble and alabaster from the L. Tyrovich company in Lviv were used. This was complemented by chrome-plated steel elements and a glazed restaurant opening onto the street. In the 1930s, the building was equipped with a lift, telephones and bathrooms in most rooms. These elements aroused the interest of guests and distinguished Patria from other guesthouses.
An icon of modernism and a spa attraction
Patria quickly became one of the symbols of the developing Krynica. The press was full of admiration for its standard and location. The building attracted visitors, tourists and representatives of the cultural world. Former residents also recalled performances by Kiepura himself, who sang the most popular arias from the balconies. For many decades, the building built the image of the spa as an elegant and visitor-friendly place. It was regarded as one of the most valuable modernist developments in Polish resorts.
Patria sanatorium in need of renovation
Since the political transformation, Patria has belonged to the Krynica Żegiestów Spa S.A.. Despite minor repairs, no extensive renovation has been carried out here for 90 years. Over time, cavities have appeared on the facades, which have been secured with mesh, and the roof terrace remains closed due to the poor condition of the entire structure. Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, refugees were accommodated in the building. The former sanatorium still accommodates dozens of people, so treatment and hotel activities have been discontinued. At the same time, there is a growing need to undertake restoration work as the building continues to lose remnants of its former splendour.
Lack of funds for renovation
The cost of a comprehensive renovation is estimated at several tens of millions of zlotys. The company declares that it is looking for various forms of financing, but for the time being activities are limited to analyses. Entry in the register of historical monuments further prolongs the process, as any interference requires the consent of the conservator. For years, the opinion has been repeated that Patria’s future depends solely on raising adequate funds.
The future of Patria
Patria ranks among the most valuable examples of modernist spa architecture. Its role in the history of Krynica, its association with Jan Kiepura and its recognisable form make the building deserving of protection and restoration of its former representative function. Many people associate memories with it and treat it as an integral part of the resort landscape. The question of whether the necessary funds can be obtained for the increasingly urgent renovation is still open.
Source: gazetakrakowska.pl
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Patria in 1938 and 2023. Source: NAC – National Digital Archive and Henryk Bielamowicz/Wikimedia Commons
View of the Kasztelanka guesthouse and Patria, 1936 and 2024. Source: szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl and Google Maps
