The Palace under the Heads in Szczecin

The Palace under the Heads in Szczecin, located at 2 Polish Soldier Square (1 Staromłyńska Street), is a classicist building from the late 18th century, consisting of two connected structures joined in 1889. Until the end of World War II, the building served military functions, and after its post-war reconstruction in 1958, it was handed over to cultural institutions. Currently, its western part houses the 13 Muses Club, established on the initiative of Gałczyński, while the eastern part is home to the Museum of Contemporary Art, a branch of the National Museum in Szczecin. The palace’s name comes from the nine heads adorning the window pediments, which before the war depicted ancient heroes. After reconstruction, these were replaced with busts of Szczecin residents associated with culture, such as Władysław Filipowiak or Zofia Krzymuska-Fafius, aiming to emphasize the young Polish identity of Szczecin. Architecturally, the palace has retained several original elements, such as stuccowork. Interestingly, the designer of the new busts was Sławomir Lewiński, who sought to immortalize local creators and their contributions to the city's culture. As a result, the Palace under the Heads stands not only as an example of classicist architecture but also as a significant historical and cultural landmark of Szczecin.