Joanna Hiżycka

Historical changes of urban block No. 27 in Cracow; the courtyard of Collegium Maius and the property at 10 św. Anny Street in light of recent architectural studies
This paper summaries the results of research work conducted at Collegium Maius and Block 27. Owing to research the evolution in the spatial layout and architecture of the entire construction block (No. 27) where these buildings are located was identified. The area was ultimately formed in the year 1300, which was connected with the construction of city walls and final delineation of city borders. From 1400 until around the mid-16th century, Collegium Maius was built in the north-eastern part of the block, while in the second half of the 15th century the brick Collegium Minus was built in the south-western part of the block; next to it a wooden German Dormitory was constructed. Until 1469 the entire western area of the block or at least the larger part thereof was owned by the Jewish Community, including the property at today’s 10 Św. Anny Street, probably along with some houses in Gołębia Street at that time. There were two synagogues – the Old and the New – in the area in that period. After a fire in 1462, in 1469 Jan Długosz purchased the properties and transferred them to the Cracow Academy. For a long time the area was occupied by private houses, as the Academy leased or sold these properties. In 1643 in the north-western part of the block building of the Academy high school – New Classes (12 Św. Anny Street) were constructed. The south-western part of the block was finally taken over by the Academy in the second half of the 17th century; deteriorated houses were demolished and the property incorporated into the Academy garden. Around the mid-19th century, the western wing was added to the building complex of the Classes, overlooking the Planty Park; in 1911 the Witkowski College was built in the south-western part of the block.