Tenement House Under the Lions in Lublin

The House Under the Lions, also known as the Cholewiński Tenement, is a Renaissance building located on the corner of the Market Square in Lublin, which originally belonged to Jerzy Organista. Around 1600, the tenement was rebuilt in the Renaissance style by the Cholewiński family, and its attic was adorned with three limestone lion sculptures, one of which is likely the work of Santi Gucci. In the 19th century, after being purchased by Józef Prus Potocki, the building underwent another renovation. In 1824, engineer Jakub Hempel modernized the façade, giving it a Neoclassical character. The lions from the attic were moved to the ground-floor cornice, which contributed to the building’s current name, "Under the Lions." During the interwar period, Ludwik Księżycki, the then-owner, leased part of the tenement to the Lublin Society of Book Lovers, highlighting its cultural significance. The House Under the Lions is an example of local architecture, combining various styles and a history that reflects the changing times of Lublin.