The document describes the history and architectural details of the Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Krakow, including its ownership changes and renovations over the centuries. It highlights significant contributions by renowned architects and artists, notably relating to the church's interior design. Additionally, it introduces the Malopolska Days of Cultural Heritage, an annual event that promotes the cultural diversity of the region through public access to selected historical sites.

1. Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary in Krakow
At present, the townhouse at 24, Szpitalna Street belongs to the Orthodox Church. The house
itself was built in the 14th century but the first mention of it dates back to 1571, when it was
property of Martin Wądzan. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries it belonged, along with the
townhouse next door, to the Jordan family of Zakliczyn; hence both buildings are often
referred to as the Jordan House. In the second half of the 19th century it was property of
merchants and craftsmen, and at the very end of the 19th century it was acquired by merchant
Selig Hirsch Steif, who donated it to the Jewish Association for Worthy Pursuits Ahawat
Raim (Ahawas Rajim) (Hebrew: love of the neighbour). From 1922 until 1932 the house was
renovated and remodelled for purposes of prayer, according to designs by Henryk Lamensdorf,
succeeded by Ferdynand Liebling and Jozue Oberleder, architects who were involved in
renovation works in the Tempel synagogue in Krakow at approximately the same time.
In 1940 the synagogue was devastated by the Nazis who turned it into a joiner’s workshop. At
that time the site drew the attention of the Orthodox parish, which the Nazis had evicted from
the barracks in Na Groblach square.
The Orthodox church is housed in a two-storey building and the whole length of the façade is
buttressed. Above the ornate portal there is a roof, built in recent years, crowned by a small
onion dome. The windows are adorned by stained glass designed by Jerzy Nowosielski, professor
of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, who was closely associated with the church as a
parishioner. The façade of the building is surmounted by a narrow wall featuring a cartouche
in the middle.
The barrel vaulted hallway has fragments of a subsequently built-in Gothic stone portal in the
northern wall, while the southern wall features the original Late-Gothic stone portal preserved
till today. The hallway leads to a chamber whose original Gothic interior was restored during
general reconstruction works in the townhouse between 1968–1984. The room is covered with a
wooden coffer ceiling, and the walls are adorned with paintings of garlands and mascarons.
The first floor houses the prayer room with the 19th century iconostasis. Incomplete, it was
complemented with previously existing paintings and some commissioned exclusively for it.
The iconostasis separated the nave for the congregation from the sanctuary where only
consecrated persons could enter. The interior also houses other icons of saints and religious
scenes, including some by Jerzy Nowosielski. On the second floor, in the former women’s
gallery there is a refectory whose walls are covered with polychromes by Jerzy Nowosielski.
The Malopolska Days of Cultural Heritage
The Malopolska Days of Cultural Heritage are one of the major
annual events that show and promote the cultural diversity of
Malopolska. For two weekends in May, every year, it is possible
to visit, free of charge, over ten selected sites, using materials
prepared especially for that purpose, and to learn about the region’s past and its traditions
by participating in the many accompanying events. The sites selected for the purpose include

2. little known places or those that are normally out of bounds to the public, often in private
hands.
We make sure that the presentation of the selected sites is accompanied with professional,
attractive and original commentary, which not only describe but also reveal Malopolska’s
history. We choose the most interesting topics connected with the presented sites and construct
the programme of the event for them.
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