Culture - Architecture

ROMANESQUE STYLE

Romanesque style dominated in Poland from 10th till mid 13th century.
It is known by:

massive quality
thick walls
round-headed arches
groin vaults
large towers
symmetrical layouts
sturdy stone

Only few buildings remained by this time.

GOTHIC STYLE

Gothic style arrived in Poland in the 13th century. Most gothic buildings in Poland are made of brick, and belong to the Baltic Brick Gothic, especially in northern Poland.
The defining features are:

progressive lightening and heightening of structure
pointed arches
ribbed vaults
flying buttresses
walls reduced to a minimum by spacious arcades, gallery or triforium, and by spacious clerestory stained glass windows

RENAISSANCE STYLE

Renaissance architecture ruled of the period between the end of 15th and beginning of 17th century, in which there was a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman.
It emphasized on:

symmetry
perfect proportion
geometry
regularity
orderly arrangements of columns, pilasters and semicircular arches, hemispherical domes, niches
details and decoration
stucco work

BAROQUE STYLE

Polish baroque lasted from the 17th century to the middle of the 18th century. It stressed the richness of the contemporary art forms.
Baroque is popular for:

lavish decoration
domes
twisted columns with a spiral pattern going up or down the column
many different shapes used to give a feeling of happiness and lightness
large amount of windows, which was done to give the building or residence a feeling of liveliness and light, rather than confinement

Rococo style was not very famous in Poland.

THE NEOS AND ART NOUVEAU

The first half of 19th century was dominated by “neo” styles, which generally speaking were turning to the past. There were neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance styles. But the most popular was neoclassicism. This style was reaction against opulence of the Rococo and Baroque and linked to ancient Greek and Roman elements.

During the second half of 19th century the eclecticism ruled in Poland. This style is a combination in a single work of elements from different historical styles.
Art Nouveau made its way to Poland at the beginning of 20th century.
The defining features are:

organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs
highly-stylized, flowing curvilinear forms
pastel colors
asymmetry

SOCIALIST REALISM AND...

After II world war many cities and towns need to be rebuilt. The communist regime brought in the socialist realism. The motto was that the architecture had to show the strength and power of the country while beauty with elegance was unimportant.

This style was popular for: