Gründerzeit – Od skandalu do stylu
From scandal to style

Summary/Abstract: It is assumed, that the architecture of the ‘Age of Promotorism’, commonlycalled Grűnderzeit, was omnipresent in Germany in the years 1870-1920, i.e. longer thantill the end of 1st World War, being the turning point of the 20th century. In Poland,Grűnderzeit style followed with only a small delay the influx and spread of technical progressand inventions from Germany. Dwellings of that time, commonly present in mostPolish town centers, despite heavy demolition caused by the II World War, still constitutethe oldest and most valuable part of town fabric, and are being considered the estheticcanon of historical multifamily housing relic. It is the intention of the author to deconstructthe term of ‘historism’ commonly used in Polish literature for practically any architecturalform dating prior to modernism, isolating thereof the term of ‘Grűnderzeit’, and to reintroducethe meaning of Grűnderzeit as a more accurate term, based on historical backgroundof 19th century Europe. It is also the aim to end the myths and the prejudice against thestyle of ‘Grűnderzeit’ viewed as unwelcomed German influence. An ungrounded belief, thatthe XIX century architecture in Poland had no roots in 19th century German architecture,has no reason and ground in the era of globalism.

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