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Nowa Huta – view towards Solidarity Avenue and the Administrative Centre of the T. Sendzimir Steelworks, 2019

Photo:

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Post Office Square (Socialist Realism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

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Adamski blocks from the first phase of the construction of Nowa Huta (Socialist Realism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

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Central Square’s buildings (Socialist Realism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

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Administrative Centre and the main gate of the steelworks (Socialist Realism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

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Former Świt Cinema (Socialist Realism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

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People's Theatre (Socialist Realism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

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Part of the Swedish Block (Modernism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

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Concert hall of the modernist music school with mosaic (Modernism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

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Postmodernist buildings of the Centrum (Postmodernism)

Photo: Jarosław Klaś

Nowa Huta, Poland

Poutpourri of styles

The “new town” of Nowa Huta

The architectural ensemble of Nowa Huta, today a district of Krakow, reflects the social, cultural and political history of the post-war period. Its establishment was part of a wider trend of post-war recovery and the idea of “new towns”. In fact, the construction of a metallurgical conglomerate and the Nowa Huta estate served as a model socialist town, reflecting the ideals of the Polish communist regime. The basic design of Nowa Huta and a major part of its buildings are the legacy of the 1950s, following the guidelines of socialist realism.

Poutpourri of styles

However, the Nowa Huta architectural and urban complex features an all-embracing potpourri of styles and trends in post-war architecture, from socialist realism through modernism to postmodernism. In fact, the quarter combines diverse European urban design experiences. The national traditions and the most important styles of 20th century Western architecture are much more apparent than in other “new towns” of the former Communist bloc.

Modernism meets Socialist Realism

The decision to build Nowa Huta was taken on 17 May 1947, while the first residential buildings were erected in June 1949. Although the original design was created according to modernist principles, it was modified according to the prevailing doctrine of socialist realism. Nonetheless, the urban layout itself is close to the idea of a modernist city that meets the needs of its inhabitants: proximity to their place of work, but also to schools, kindergartens or commercial and service buildings.

Ideal City

The urban layout refers to the idea of an ideal city in the Renaissance era. In the center of the new city, whose plan was based on a pentagon, there is a central square from which five main arteries radiate. The buildings in the central part of Nowa Huta were erected in the style of socialist realism. However, in this unique district of Krakow, the most important styles of 20th century architecture “meet”: socmodernism, modernism and postmodernism.

Testifying the past, inspiring the future

Today, Nowa Huta attracts tourists interested in its architectural heritage, but it is also a vibrant residential district with a rich cultural offer. In 2004, the urban layout of Nowa Huta was listed in the register of monuments testifying its historical and cultural value. Since 2020, the cultural landscape of Nowa Huta has been protected as a Cultural Park. In 2023 the President of the Republic of Poland recognized the architectural and urban complex of Nowa Huta as a Monument of History. In fact, the architectural heritage of Nowa Huta is a reminder of Poland's turbulent past and an key element of Krakow's cultural landscape: a testimony of the past and an inspiration for future generations.

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