Piastowski Square is a large and important square in downtown Bydgoszcz, bearing several buildings registered on the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Heritage List.
Location
Piastowski Square is settled north of Dworcowa Street, west of Gdańska Street. It is delineated by Śniadecki, Chrobrego, Wileńska and Sowińskiego streets.
It has approximately the size of a 140m by 100m rectangle, with its longer axis oriented NW-SE.
History
This vast square dates back to the creation of Sniadecki Street, after the second half of the 19th century. It has always kept its original functions, as a marketplace, hence its original name Elisabethmarkt, after Elisabeth Straße, original name of Sniadecki Street.
The area is roughly depicted on an 1857 map of Bromberg, but earliest documented reference appears in the 1870s, with a mention in the 1872 city address book.
Through history, the square bore the following names: 1870s-1920, Elisabeth Markt, in honor of Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria, wife of the reigning King of Prussia, Frederick William IV of Prussia; 1920–1940, Piastowski Square; 1940–1945, Dr. Goebbels Platz; Since 1945, Piastowski Square ().
The current namesake comes from the Piast dynasty, first historical ruling dynasty of Poland, which started with Prince Miesko I in 960 and ended with Casimir III the Great in 1370.
Main places and buildings
Tenement at 1, corner with Sowińskiego Street
1889
Eclecticism
The first owner of the building at 10 Elisabeth Markt was August Zuß.
Tenement at 2
1872
Neoclassical architecture
The first landlord who lived at originally 11 Elisabeth Markt, in the 1890s, was Auguste Raabe, having business in shipping till the end of World War I.
The edifice, unfortunately, lost all its neo-classical features with time. A recent renovation occurred in the late 2010s.
Tenement at 3
1878, rebuilt by Jan Kossowski (1939)
Eclecticism
Original address was 9 Elisabeth Markt, it has been ordered by Julius Gendal, who then moved to Nr.4.
Today the elevation displays a modern style, as a consequence of the rebuilding by Jan Kossowski, who also realized in Bydgoszcz, among others the Freedom Monument and houses at 5 Ossoliński Alley and 7 Plac Wolności.
Tenement at 4
1895-1896
Eclecticism
Original address was 12 Elisabeth Markt: its first owner was a wood manufacturer, Julius Gendal.
The main elevation displays its original architectural details, in contrast with Nr.2. Facade shows symmetric features, left and right of the main gate, especially stacked balustrade areas, either balcony or loggias on both extremities.
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, at 5
Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, Nr.601221, Reg.A/746, December 12, 1971
1913, by Oskar Hoßfeld
Neo-Baroque
The church has been consecrated by Wilhelm Kloske, Gniezno's suffragan bishop on June 19, 1913. Initially, it was reserved for the use of German Catholics, but was opened to both communities, German and Polish, on February 17, 1924.
Tenement at 7
1875-1876
Eclecticism
First address was 7 Elisabeth Markt, first owner was Carl Teschner, merchant, then member of the city council, co-owner of a brick factory, "Carl Teschner und Wilehlm Vincent" on Allee straße (today Ulica Stroma).
Although deprived from some architectural details, one can still appreciate the symmetric facade centered on the two balconies, the first floor windows with pediments, cartouches, balustrade, and the top thin frieze with floral motifs.
Tenement at 9
1884-1885
Eclecticism
First address was 6a Elisabeth Markt, first owner was August Kopplow, an administrative assistant.
The main elevation lost most of its architectural features, albeit it has been renovated in 2017.
Tenement at 11, corner with Wileńska Street
1886-1887
Eclecticism
First address was 6 Elisabeth Markt, the first owner being a rentier, Fritz Dörnbrack, who lived at 11 Elisabeth Straße, now 37 Śniadecki Street .
The elevation, recently refurbished (2016), shows evident Neo-Classicist features. Symmetry of both facades, plain pedimented windows and carved cartouches with children figures. The main gate is flanked by two lean columns.