Jan Matejko's House in Krakow

The building at 41 Floriańska Street in Kraków has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Initially a single-story structure, a second floor was added in the 18th century, followed by a third, mansard floor in the early 19th century. In 1752, the property was purchased by Ignacy and Anna Hendel, and later, in 1794, by Jan Piotr and Marianna Rossberg, the parents of the wife of painter Franciszek Ksawery Matejko. After his death in 1860, the building was inherited by his children, and in 1871, Jan Matejko became its owner, commissioning a two-year renovation to accommodate his family. Following his death on November 8, 1893, Marian Sokołowski published an article calling for the establishment of a museum dedicated to the painter, which led to the purchase of the building on November 7, 1895. Simultaneously, the collection of publications and photographs of his works began. Between 1896 and 1904, the building was adapted for museum use under the direction of architects Tadeusz Stryjeński and Zygmunt Hendel. The museum was officially handed over to the Kraków City Council on June 26, 1904, and later placed under the management of the National Museum. During World War II, part of the collection was stored in the closed museum to protect it from looting. After the war, the museum reopened in 1953, with the last renovation taking place in 2009. The museum features significant rooms, such as the bedroom known as the "room under the stars" and Matejko's painting studio. On the second floor, a commemorative plaque notes his health and height, with a Latin inscription emphasizing that greatness can reside in a small form. The building is listed in the register of monuments as an object of architectural, historical, and cultural significance, currently serving as a museum dedicated to one of Poland's most important artists.