Ratusha, Ivano-Frankivsk
Encyclopedia
Ratusha, Ivano-Frankivsk is a several stories-tall rathaus
in the downtown (Old Town) of the city of Ivano-Frankivsk
at the city's Market Square
(locally - Ploshcha Rynok).
It is the only rathaus in Ukraine
built in the Art Deco
(part of the Style Modern). The current design was created in 1920s by Stanislaw Trela, while the original building was built with creation of the city in 17th century. The building is built in such way that from a top view it is reminiscent of the Polish order of Virtuti Militari
(Military Valor).
in 1662. It is not known exactly when the construction started, but the rathaus was first mentioned to be built out of wood in 1666. Presumably that was a temporary structure as in 1672 it was replaced by a nine-story tall building made out wood and rock of the late Renaissance
style. The building as it planned was used for meeting of the city administration and court as a town hall. The rathaus was also used as a observation post. However, already in 1677, after the city withstood the Turkish siege it was simply disassembled.
Some twenty years by the request of Józef Potocki
a building of new Ratusz was initiated. For that purpose the architect Karol Benoe was invited, who finished the project in 1695. According to Kowalczyk, the architecture of that building was reminiscent with the style of Sebastiano Serlio
. The new building was built after a similar Ratusz design in Husiatyn
, only higher. In total the new building had nine floors. The Ratusz was topped with a small dome-type roof, on top of which was placed a sculptural ensemble of Archangel Michael who was defeating a serpent. In 1825 Archangel Michael was replaced with an eagle. On the level of a fifth floor on each of its tower four sides were placed clocks that every 15 minutes would engage a system of bells installed underneath the dome. The floor was encircled by an observation balcony. The second and third floors of the Ratusz were designated for the city administration while its first floor was leased for various trade shops (stores) which at some point accounted for up to 24. In the basement of the Ratusz was created a jail.
There also was a single entrance from the western side through a gate upon which was placed a family coat of arms of Potocki. At the southern side was installed an iron statue of Jewish bread salesman with a sign "jeden grosz" to show how cheap bread is in the city. In 1801 the city's magistrate was evacuated from the building which was passed to the Austrian authorities. Since then the rathaus was used as a jail and a military clothing store. In 1825 a big storm torn away the sculpture of the archangel. On September 28, 1868 a great fire took place in the city. Originating on the southern side it spread throughout the rest of the city burning down the Ratusz as well. Out of the city hall was left only its steel framework. After 200 years the building was destroyed for the first time.
The new rathaus was in the form of a massive two-stories building with a tall tower (preserved from the previous design). Up to the fifth floor it was cover with a white marble. Over it were placed observation galleries over which hanged on the four sides of the tower a clock. A near spherical elongated dome was topping the building. The main feature of the rathaus was the session hall of the city's council. In the basement of the building once again were located rooms of preliminary detention (arrest home). During the World War I
in February 1915 several military engagements took place in the vicinity of Stanislawow
, from which the rathaus received numerous cracks. The building itself did not fell, however it was announced to be in emergency conditions.
continued on until 1920s as old empires were falling apart, particularly due to change of power in the former Russian Empire
. In the first years after the war Poland went through some difficult financial times and it took some time before the government decided to restore the old city hall. In 1929, the Polish government engaged Krash and Company, engineers, to work on the rathaus. That December, the local government accepted a bid on the building and in 1930 accepted a design from architect Stanislaw Trela. During the installation of the foundation of the building's south-eastern wing, workers installed a time capsule containing plans of the new design, photos of the old rathaus, and other documents. Initial plans had the construction finishing in 1932, but due to lack of financing the construction continued until 1935, while decorative work continued until World War II
.
The rathaus survived World War II. The building design represents a cross (the Order of Virtuti Militari). At the intersection of the cross rises a tower topped with a dome which is reminiscent of a military helmet. On the fourth floor at each corner were placed bronze eagles that represent the Polish state symbol (Orzeł Biały). During renovations in 1957 those "ideologically alien" creations were replaced with inexpressive sculptural decorations. The complete height of the rathaus is 49.5 m (162.4 ft), a height that at the time of construction made it the tallest structure in the city. Unlike the previous versions of the building, it was not used as a town hall, but rather as a symbolic representation of the past. The space in the building was leased to numerous stores which, after the "Golden September" (the Soviet term for the invasion of Poland in 1939), were closed.
During the Nazi occupation Hitler's followers tried to destroy the building. However, they were unable to blow it up as the rathaus was built out of reinforced concrete. The Germans managed, however, to blow up its northwestern wing; they ran out of time to destroy the rest of the building. After the Soviet liberation the building was used as a warehouse. In 1957 the oblast Regional Administration financed a renovation project that continued until 1958. On April 26, 1959 the building opened as was a regional museum.
Rathaus
Rathaus is a German word literally translating as “council house”, meaning “city hall” or “town hall”. Many specific buildings are referred to as Rathaus even when spoken about in English.Some important Rathäuser are:* Rathaus Schöneberg...
in the downtown (Old Town) of the city of Ivano-Frankivsk
Ivano-Frankivsk
Ivano-Frankivsk is a historic city located in the western Ukraine. It is the administrative centre of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast , and is designated as its own separate raion within the oblast, municipality....
at the city's Market Square
Market Square (Ivano-Frankivsk)
Market Square in Ivano-Frankivsk is called Ploshcha Rynok and is historically the central square of the city. It is the oldest square and traces its history to the city's establishment...
(locally - Ploshcha Rynok).
It is the only rathaus in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
built in the Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
(part of the Style Modern). The current design was created in 1920s by Stanislaw Trela, while the original building was built with creation of the city in 17th century. The building is built in such way that from a top view it is reminiscent of the Polish order of Virtuti Militari
Virtuti Militari
The Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war...
(Military Valor).
First couple of designs
At the beginning the Ratusz w Stanisławowie as it was called was erected after the construction of a fortress out which was developed Stanisławów, acquiring its city rights by Andrzej PotockiAndrzej Potocki
Andrzej Potocki was a Polish szlachcic, magnate.Great Chorąży of the Crown since 1660, voivode of Kijów Voivodship since 1668, voivode of Kraków Voivodship since 1682, castellan of Kraków since 1682, Field Crown Hetman since 1684....
in 1662. It is not known exactly when the construction started, but the rathaus was first mentioned to be built out of wood in 1666. Presumably that was a temporary structure as in 1672 it was replaced by a nine-story tall building made out wood and rock of the late Renaissance
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
style. The building as it planned was used for meeting of the city administration and court as a town hall. The rathaus was also used as a observation post. However, already in 1677, after the city withstood the Turkish siege it was simply disassembled.
Some twenty years by the request of Józef Potocki
Józef Potocki
Józef Potocki was a Polish nobleman , magnate, Great Hetman of the Crown.Józef was considered as the richest magnate at that time...
a building of new Ratusz was initiated. For that purpose the architect Karol Benoe was invited, who finished the project in 1695. According to Kowalczyk, the architecture of that building was reminiscent with the style of Sebastiano Serlio
Sebastiano Serlio
Sebastiano Serlio was an Italian Mannerist architect, who was part of the Italian team building the Palace of Fontainebleau...
. The new building was built after a similar Ratusz design in Husiatyn
Husiatyn
Husiatyn is a town in the Ternopil Oblast of western Ukraine. Alternate spellings include Gusyatin, Husyatin, and Hsiatyn. Husiatyn is the administrative center of the Husiatyn Raion , and is located on the west bank of the Zbruch River...
, only higher. In total the new building had nine floors. The Ratusz was topped with a small dome-type roof, on top of which was placed a sculptural ensemble of Archangel Michael who was defeating a serpent. In 1825 Archangel Michael was replaced with an eagle. On the level of a fifth floor on each of its tower four sides were placed clocks that every 15 minutes would engage a system of bells installed underneath the dome. The floor was encircled by an observation balcony. The second and third floors of the Ratusz were designated for the city administration while its first floor was leased for various trade shops (stores) which at some point accounted for up to 24. In the basement of the Ratusz was created a jail.
There also was a single entrance from the western side through a gate upon which was placed a family coat of arms of Potocki. At the southern side was installed an iron statue of Jewish bread salesman with a sign "jeden grosz" to show how cheap bread is in the city. In 1801 the city's magistrate was evacuated from the building which was passed to the Austrian authorities. Since then the rathaus was used as a jail and a military clothing store. In 1825 a big storm torn away the sculpture of the archangel. On September 28, 1868 a great fire took place in the city. Originating on the southern side it spread throughout the rest of the city burning down the Ratusz as well. Out of the city hall was left only its steel framework. After 200 years the building was destroyed for the first time.
Late 19th century
The rebuilding of the rathaus started however rather quick and in 1870 in the city was initiated the construction of a new Ratusz by a Lviv construction company. The architects of the new building were Anasthasius Przybilowski and Filip Pokutynski. On June 6, 1870 a foundation of the new rathaus was installed. Inside of the foundation was placed a capsule with a parchment about the history of rathaus and old Polish and Austrian coins and medals. The construction was finished the next year in 1871.The new rathaus was in the form of a massive two-stories building with a tall tower (preserved from the previous design). Up to the fifth floor it was cover with a white marble. Over it were placed observation galleries over which hanged on the four sides of the tower a clock. A near spherical elongated dome was topping the building. The main feature of the rathaus was the session hall of the city's council. In the basement of the building once again were located rooms of preliminary detention (arrest home). During the World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in February 1915 several military engagements took place in the vicinity of Stanislawow
Ivano-Frankivsk
Ivano-Frankivsk is a historic city located in the western Ukraine. It is the administrative centre of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast , and is designated as its own separate raion within the oblast, municipality....
, from which the rathaus received numerous cracks. The building itself did not fell, however it was announced to be in emergency conditions.
20th century
After World War I, the war in the Eastern EuropeEastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
continued on until 1920s as old empires were falling apart, particularly due to change of power in the former Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
. In the first years after the war Poland went through some difficult financial times and it took some time before the government decided to restore the old city hall. In 1929, the Polish government engaged Krash and Company, engineers, to work on the rathaus. That December, the local government accepted a bid on the building and in 1930 accepted a design from architect Stanislaw Trela. During the installation of the foundation of the building's south-eastern wing, workers installed a time capsule containing plans of the new design, photos of the old rathaus, and other documents. Initial plans had the construction finishing in 1932, but due to lack of financing the construction continued until 1935, while decorative work continued until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The rathaus survived World War II. The building design represents a cross (the Order of Virtuti Militari). At the intersection of the cross rises a tower topped with a dome which is reminiscent of a military helmet. On the fourth floor at each corner were placed bronze eagles that represent the Polish state symbol (Orzeł Biały). During renovations in 1957 those "ideologically alien" creations were replaced with inexpressive sculptural decorations. The complete height of the rathaus is 49.5 m (162.4 ft), a height that at the time of construction made it the tallest structure in the city. Unlike the previous versions of the building, it was not used as a town hall, but rather as a symbolic representation of the past. The space in the building was leased to numerous stores which, after the "Golden September" (the Soviet term for the invasion of Poland in 1939), were closed.
During the Nazi occupation Hitler's followers tried to destroy the building. However, they were unable to blow it up as the rathaus was built out of reinforced concrete. The Germans managed, however, to blow up its northwestern wing; they ran out of time to destroy the rest of the building. After the Soviet liberation the building was used as a warehouse. In 1957 the oblast Regional Administration financed a renovation project that continued until 1958. On April 26, 1959 the building opened as was a regional museum.