phone no.
506 625 430
open:
30-31.12 - 2pm-7pm
phone / fax no.
+48 504 856 500, + 48 504 063 337, + 48 12 619 87 22
e-mail:
The building used by the Cracow Philharmonic from its beginning, i.e. since February 1945, was completed in 1931 as Catholic House according to the design by Józef Pokutyński. The main initiator of the building was Prince Adam Cardinal Sapieha. The initiators of the building were guided by a famous building of a similar use - Maison du Peuple in Brussels designed in 1897 by Viktor Hort.
The building facade and the concert hall have neo-baroque character compared to other rooms kept in modernistic style. The building was designed in the shape of a letter L. Having in mind esthetical effect of the buildings front facade was designed - the most important architectural element of the structure with a view from the side of ul. Franciszkańska and Planty in mind. Structural volume of the building is 24,000 cubic meters, floor space - 4,550 sq.m. The facade of the Philharmonic building is crowned with a cartouche with a "Three Crowns" coat of arms.
The concert hall (20 x 28 m) with 693 seats is the largest concert hall in Cracow. It was located from the side of ul. Zwierzyniecka, where exits for the audience were also designed. The main element of its decor, and the most magnificent instrument at the same time, is the organs by Johannes Klais - Orgelbau Bonn (put to use in October 1996, replacing the organs by VEB Postdamer Schuke - Orgelbau that were burned in the building fire in December 1991).
Apart from the concert hall, the Philharmonic has also two rooms for chamber music (Golden Hall and Blue Hall in which, on 15.10.1938, Karol Wojtyła, John Paul II, debuted as a poet).
© Filharmonia Krakowska 2010