Description of the attraction
The English House, sometimes also called the "Angel House", is one of the most impressive buildings in Gdańsk. The English House was built in 1568-1570 in the Renaissance style by the German architect Hans Kramer for Dirk Lulge.
For construction, he took two adjacent parcels of land to build an impressive façade 15.5 meters wide and 30 meters high, eight stories high. The building is crowned with four peaks and a tower with a decorative dome and spire. The facade is decorated with exquisite sculptures. The floors are visually separated by prominent cornices with decorative friezes. Initially, the details of the stone facades were gilded and covered with sgraffito (a decorative technique of wall painting, which consists in the application of successive layers of colored plaster). The entrance to the building is made in the form of a triumphal arch with fluted columns on the sides.
The first owner, Dirk Lulge, went bankrupt in 1572, and his house went to creditors. In the 17th century, the main hall of the English House was used for meetings of British merchants living in Gdansk. It is for this reason that the name "English House" appeared at the building.
In 1912, the house was purchased from private owners, who did their best to protect it from the planned demolition. In 1927-1928, the facade was renovated, about 40% of the stone decor was replaced. During World War II in 1945, the English house was destroyed, miraculously, only the lower part of the facade survived. The restoration work was completed in the 70s of the 20th century.
Currently, the English House houses the graphic faculty and dormitory of the Gdansk Academy of Arts.
