Folk House in Ostrowy Górnicze

The Zakopane-style building was constructed in 1905 according to a design of the Warsaw architects Karol Jankowski and Franciszek Lilpop as the Folk House of the Warsaw Association of Coal Mines and Smelting Plants. The Zakopane style, popularized at that time by among others Wyspiański, aspired to be a national style, however it was most popular in Podhale. The Folk House in Ostrowy Górnicze makes strong references to the national Podhale style, which was at that time in Poland a manifestation of artistic quests in a battle against eclecticism. It is an ideal example of this kind of architecture,although moved north from its main centre.

The building served many various purposes. It was a mining tavern, library, reading room, ballroom, poolroom and a theatre room. Surrounded by the park, it was an ideal place for recreation and entertainment for the Niemce colony labourers, functioning as a social and cultural life center till 1939. From the end of the war until the 70s of the last century it functioned as a community centre.

At present the Folk House is occupied by private persons, as it is still in good condition.