Trzebnicki Maidens House

You are reading now about the oldest, partially preserved residential building in Wroclaw. The first mention of the building appears in historical sources as early as the year 1208. The object is named ”The Romanesque House” or ”Trzebnicki Maidens House” reffering to the Cistercians nuns from Trzebnica who resided there until  1810 when the order was liquidated. The early Gothic, two-story brick building was built on a trapezium plan and was rebuilt many times over the centuries. Romanesque elements in the romanesque style, such as arches in the central part of the structure, appear next Gothic ones, such as cross arches and windows. 

Much of the building was destroyed during World War II. In 1959, Tadeusz Kozaczewki – art historian and urban planner – discovered the relics of the simple hall and two vaulted rooms. Conservation works were conduc-ted in the years 1966–69, according to the design of Henryk Dziurla. During that time, the original remains were supplemented with reinforced concrete roof, as well as with distinctive glass wall. A third room with a mezzanine was created in 1996. Currently, the builiding has sunk into the ground to such an extent that the original, usable floor level now reaches street level. The historic interior is perfectly suited for an exhibition space.

Previously, this was the seat of Wroclaw’s Photo Gallery, which was brought to life in 1973. The name changed and in 1977 it became Foto-Medium-Art Gallery. Nowadays, FOTO-GEN Gallery, belonging to the Culture and Art Centre in Wroclaw – is located in this historic buliding with three exhibition rooms.