The mannerist architecture and sculpture in Poland includes two major traditions, Polish/Italian and Dutch/Flemish, that dominated in northern Poland. The Silesian mannerism of southwestern Poland was largely influenced by Bohemian and German mannerism, while the Pomeranian mannerism of northwestern Poland was influenced by Gothic tradition and Northern German mannerism. The Jews in Poland adapted patterns of Italian and Polish mannerism to their own tradition. The mannerist complex of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and mannerist City of Zamość are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Polish mannerism, though largely dominated by Italian architects and sculptors, has unique characteristics which differentiate it from its Italian equivalent, including attics, decorational motives, the construction and shape of buildings, and Dutch, Bohemian, and German influences. Among the notable architects and sculptors of Polish/Italian mannerism were Santi Gucci, Jan Michałowicz of Urzędów, Giovanni Maria Padovano, Giovanni Battista di Quadro, Jan Frankiewicz, Galleazzo Appiani, Jan Jaroszewicz, Bernardo Morando, Kasper Fodyga, Krzysztof Bonadura, Antoneo de Galia, and many others.
Lesser Poland Voivodeship PlaceBuildingDate of constructionStyle and historyImageBiecz Town Hall Tower erected in 1569 with Ratusz built in 1569–1580Polish mannerism (architect Jeremiasz Kwajer of Wrocław). The present clock tower was built when former 15th-century tower collapsed in 1569. It was established by Marcin Kromer. The new tower, built on square and octagonal plan, was covered with a mannerist spire and decorated with sgraffito patterns imitating rustication. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Basilica of St. Mary 1603–1609Polish/Dutch mannerism (architects Jan Maria Bernardoni and Paul Baudarth). The church was established by Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, voivode of Kraków for Order of Friars Minor. The church was designed by Bernardoni and the construction process was conducted by Baudarth, an architect and goldsmith from Antwerp. Ecce Homo Chapel 1605–1609Dutch mannerism (architect Paul Baudarth). It was built on the plan of the Greek cross. The vault adorned with profuse stucco decorations in the style of Dutch mannerism. Chapel of the Crucifixion 1600–1601Dutch mannerism. The chapel is the first structure built by Mikołaj Zebrzydowski in Kalwaria and give a beginning to the whole complex. Heart of Mary Chapel 1615Dutch mannerism (architect Paul Baudarth). It was built on the plan of a heart. The chapel commemorate Jesus' encounter with Mary on the road to Calvary. KrakówBoner House1560Polish mannerism. The original gothic building was rebuilt for Jan Firlej, Grand Marshal of the Crown and his wife Barbara Mniszech. In 1604 the wedding ceremony of Marina Mniszech and False Dmitriy I, Tsar of Russia was held in the house. Richly decorated mannerist attic (caryatids, floral and animal motives) is attributed to the workshop of Santi Gucci. Branicki Manor House c. 1603Polish mannerism (circle of Santi Gucci). The manor house was created for Jan Branicki by enlarging the early 16th century keep. The rectangular building (12 x 10m) was decorated with sgraffito and crowned with an attic gabled with crenellation. Ciborium in St. Mary's Basilica 1552Polish mannerism (sculptor Giovanni Maria Padovano). ...cyborium, wykonane w latach 1551-1554 przez rzeźbiarza i architekta Jana Marię Mosca zwanego Padovano, zaangażowanego przez ówczesnych prowizorów kościoła Andrzeja Marstellę i Jerzego Pipana. (...) ...balustrada i ażurowe bramki, odlane w brązie w 1595 roku przez Michała Otta, który ozdobił je herbami Polski i Litwy. The St. Mary's Basilica's Ciborium was established by Kraków's goldsmiths Andrzej Mastelli and Jerzy Pipan. It was made of sandstone and adorned with red Salzburg marble, alabaster and stucco. A cast bronze balustrade was created in 1595 by Michał Otto and decorated with Polish and Lithuanian coat of arms. Collegium Iuridicum 1630sPolish mannerism. Collegium Iuridicum of the Jagiellonian University was founded in 1403 for the jurists, as one of the oldest university's buildings. The original gothic building was reconstructed in the mannerist style (arcade courtyard) and early baroque style (main portal). Dean's House1582–1592Polish mannerism (architect Santi Gucci).The portal was decorated with a Leszczyc coat of arms and a Latin inscription: Procul este profani - let the unsanctified keep their distance. It is a former residence of the canons, founded in the 14th century. During the 16th-century reconstruction the arcade courtyard was added and the facade was adorned with a portal and sgraffito decoration. Decjusz Villa 1630Italian mannerism (architect Maciej Trapola). The original villa, built between 1528 and 1535 for Justus Decjusz, was rebuilt for Sebastian Lubomirski. Inspiration for this reconstruction was a renaissance treaty by Sebastiano Serlio. Holy Trinity Church - Gonzaga-Myszkowski Chapel 1603–1614Polish mannerism/early baroque (architect Santi Gucci), decorated with rustication. The chapel was modelled after the Sigismund's Chapel (1519–1533). It was founded by Zygmunt Gonzaga-Myszkowski (together with his brother Piotr, he was adopted in 1597 by Vincenzo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua). Old Synagogue - Aron Kodeshlate 16th centuryJewish mannerism (possibly workshop of Matteo Gucci). The tympanum of the Aron Kodesh bears a Hebrew inscription that reads: By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things (Book of Proverbs 28:17). Prelate House1618–1619 Polish mannerism (architects Maciej Litwinkowicz and Jan Zatorczyk). The characteristics are late renaissance attic by Zatorczyk (1625) and sgraffito decoration imitating diamond-pointed rustication. Vasa Gate 1590Polish mannerism. Vasa Gate was the only entrance to the Wawel Castle. The current building replaced an earlier gothic gate and was founded by king Sigismund III Vasa. The inner side was adorned with mannerist attic with palmettes, volutes and sheaves (the emblem of the house of Vasa). Wawel Cathedral - Stephen Báthory Tomb 1594–1595Polish mannerism (sculptor Santi Gucci). Established by Queen Anna Jagiellon to commemorate her husband Stephen Báthory. Made of sandstone, red marble and alabaster. Książ Wielki Mirów Palace 1585–1595 Polish mannerism (architect Santi Gucci). Founded by Piotr Myszkowski, bishop of Cracow as a fortified palace (palazzo in fortezza).The original 16th-century building was enhanced between 1841 and 1846 and decorated in Neo-Gothic style by Friedrich August Stüler for Franciszek Wielopolski. Source: The palace is decorated with rusticated stonework. Mirów Palace Pavilion late 16th centuryPolish mannerism (architect Santi Gucci). One of two mannerist pavilions situated on the both sides of the Mirów Palace. The pavilions were built to house a library and a chapel.Niepołomice Church of 10.000 Christians - Branicki Chapel1596 Polish mannerism (architect Santi Gucci). Established by Jan Branicki, castellan of Biecz to commemorate his parents Katarzyna Kotwicz and Grzegorz Branicki. Royal Castle1635–1637Polish mannerism. The major mannerist additions to the original 14th-century castle were gate (1588) and arcade courtyard (1635–1637). Sucha Beskidzka Komorowski Castle1608–1614Polish mannerism (architect - probably Paul Baudarth). The original defensive mansion built between 1554 and 1580 was enlarged and rebuilt for Piotr Komorowski. Sułoszowa Szafraniec Castle - Courtyardafter 1557-1578Polish mannerism. The trapezoid shape courtyard was surrounded at the level of two upper storeys by arcades, embellished with 21 mascarons. The arcade risalit above the gate is a 17th-century addition. Szafraniec Castle - Loggiaafter 1578 Polish mannerism. For the first time the 14th-century castle was rebuilt in renaissance style between 1542 and 1544 by Niccolò Castiglione with participation of Gabriel Słoński of Kraków. The sponsor of the castle reconstruction in mannerist style was a Calvinist Stanisław Szafraniec, voivode of Sandomierz. At that time the original medieval tower was transformed into a scenic double loggia decorated in the sgraffito technique. Tarnów Tarnów Cathedral - Ostrogski Tomb 1612–1620Dutch mannerism (design by Willem van den Blocke). Established by Janusz Ostrogski, voivode of Volhyn. Made of black and red marble and yellow alabaster. It depicts the kneeling figures of the founder and his first wife Zsuzsanna Serédi of Felsőnovaj. The monument was enlarged using the trompe-l'œil technique. Houses with arcades second half of the 16th centuryPolish mannerism. The house No. 20, built in about 1565, belonged to the Scottish family, the Huysons. It is adorned wit sgraffito decoration imitating rustication.
Lower Silesian Voivodeship PlaceBuildingDate of constructionStyle and historyImageKrobielowice Abbot's Palace 1596–1613Bohemian mannerism. The renaissance mansion of St. Vincent Monastery in Ołbin, built between 1570 and 1580, was rebuilt for abbot Scultetus to house the monastery's estate administration (grangia). Oleśnica Ducal Castle 1585–1608German mannerism (architect Bernard Niuron). The original gothic castle (built by duke Konrad I of Oleśnica) was successively enlarged and rebuilt by the powerful bohemian magnates the Poděbrads. The reconstruction in mannerist style began in 1585. Duke Charles II built a new eastern and southern wings. He also rebuilt the so-called Widow Palace. The courtyard was emebllished with characteristic balconies and the main gate portal was adorned with Silesian and Poděbrad family crests. Sobieski's Castle in Oława Abbot's Palace ?–1588German mannerism. The Renaissance castle was built by master Jakub of Milan (most likely with the surname Parr, builder of the Bolków Castle), and continued by Barnard Niuron in 1588. It was constructed on the site of a medieval castle built by Duke Ludwik I built in the second half of the fourteenth century. Wrocław House of the Griffins 1587–1589 German/Dutch mannerism (architect Friedrich Gross). It is the largest merchant house in Wrocław (16.25m wide), originally built in about 1300. The house was rebuilt for Daniel von Turnau und Kueschmalz and his wife Dorothea von Matte. The mannerist portal with founders' crests was carved by Gerhard Hendrik of Amsterdam. The house was named after griffins decorating the attic. St. Mary Magdalene's Church - Pulpit1579–1580German mannerism (sculptor Friedrich Gross). It was carved in precious materials: Ruthenian alabaster from Lviv, Silesian sandstone, marble and gabbro from the Mount Ślęża. The alabaster reliefs on the sides depicts scenes from the Old Testament - The Fall of Jericho, Elijah calling down fire from heaven on Ahaziah's soldiers, David and Goliath encounter and Daniel in the Lion's Den. Zagórze ŚląskieGrodno Castlebefore 1587Bohemian mannerism. The reconstruction of a medieval Piast Castle was started by Matthias von Logau (Maciej z Łagowa) and accomplished by his son Georg. The castle was adorned with beautifully carved sandstone portals and sgraffitos (Gate, 1570). ŻórawinaHoly Trinity Church 1600–1608German/Dutch mannerism. The 14th-century church was reconstructed in mannerist style at Adam von Hanniwaldt's initiative. The undertaking was financially supported by Adam's brother Andreas, councillor at the court of Emperor Rudolph II. Among the artists employed in decoration of the church were eminent Dutch sculptors Adriaen de Vries and Gerhard Hendrik.
Opole Voivodeship PlaceBuildingDate of constructionStyle and historyImageBrzeg Piast Castle Courtyard1556–1558 Silesian mannerism (architect Francesco de Pario of Bissone). The original gothic castle was rebuilt for Jerzy II the Magnificent, duke of Brzeg and Legnica. It was probably inspired by Wawel Castle courtyard. The architecture of the castle's arcades bears strong resemblance to Opočno Castle in the Czech Republic and Schloss Güstrow in Germany.