Krakow

Rydlówka

Built in 1894 by famous painter Włodzimierz Tetmajer, this small manor house and modest museum in the Kraków suburb of Bronowice Małe, is integral in the history of Kraków's secessionist-era Młoda Polska art movement, and was the backdrop of one of its most important literary works - Stanisław Wyspiański's play 'Wesele' (The Wedding). Based on the real life wedding of the poet-aristocrat Lucjan Rydel to his young peasant bride (marrying into the peasant class was a curious fashion of Kraków's intelligentsia at the time), Wyspiański's 1901 drama describes the drinking, dancing, feasting, fornicating, philosophising and arguing at his friend's wedding reception - which took place in this very home - as a way of examining the partitioned country's political climate, which Wyspiański criticises and condemns as unprepared for independence.

Required reading for Polish grade-schoolers, the influential play is such a classic that the house most of the action takes place in has been open to the public since 1969. Visitors will get a guided tour of the small downstairs, learning the history of the home and the families who lived here, while seeing its collection of original folk furnishings, period photos, memorabilia, and fantastic turn-of-the-century artwork by the famous personalities connected to the site. While for Poles Rydlówka is an important historical site, for tourists who don't already have a healthy knowledge of and interest in Wyspiański's play - or the Młoda Polska movement he and his contemporaries were a part of - this village villa is certainly skippable. Still, those who make the trip can expect a charming and rewarding cultural adventure.

The best way to get there is by car, but taking trams 4, 8 and 24 all the way to the end ('Bronowice Małe' stop) will get you close.

Average visiting time: 1 hour. 

Website

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Open

Open 10:00-17:00. Closed Mon, Sun.

Price/Additional Info

Admission 16/12zł. Tue free.

Associated Venues

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26.09.2016
Me

Website url is out of date, please use http://www.rydlowka.com/rydlowka
29.01.2013
Editor IYP

This place is tricky to find. Look for a small sign on ul. Tetmajera directing you uphill to the property which isn't actually directly on the street. There's a gate which is locked from the outside but this doesn't mean the museum is closed. Simply reach around to the inside and let yourself in.
21.01.2013
Van Rambler

Visitors may also get the chance to meet Pani Maria Rydlowa, wife of the poet's grandson, who still lives upstairs. A gracious and charming old lady, she spoke to us for several minutes about the importance of the site and its small place in history. I am not positive, but I believe the young woman who gave us the tour may have been her grand-daughter as well. The museum is small and the tour is short - only 15-20mins. I haven't read the play, but I enjoyed our visit. The area, though now a suburb of Kraków, still feels like a village and is a nice place to walk around.
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