General Information

Rydlówka is the historic home of painter Włodzimierz Tetmajer and later the estimable Rydel family, located in the former village of Bronowice Małe (nowadays a part of Krakow). Since 1969, the manor has housed the Museum of Young Poland that showcases both the artistic achievements of the movement and the lives of people who played a part in it.

History: Highlights

Tetmajer married a young peasant girl from Bronowice, Anna Mikołajczykówna, and between 1894 and 1895 he built the house to settle with his family. In 1900, poet Lucjan Rydel married Anna’s sister Jadwiga. The wedding party took place in the manor and inspired one of the guests, Stanisław Wyspiański, to write his most famous play, “The Wedding”.

History: Explained

In 1903, the Tetmajers moved to another home and in 1908, Lucjan Rydel bought the manor. He lived there until his death in 1918. To this day, the Rydel family play an important role in maintaining the manor as Maria Rydlowa, the wife of Lucjan Rydel’s grandson, is the curator of the museum and lives in Rydlówka. The museum was established in 1969, following restoration after a fire.

Collection: Highlights

The beautiful collection contains paintings by recognised artists of the Young Poland period, i.e. Włodzimierz Tetmajer himself, Jan Stanisławski, Kazimierz Sichulski, as well as memorabilia and exhibits that illustrate everyday life in a unique artistic household, including furniture (among others one chair designed by Wyspiański) and clothes.

Young Poland: Highlights

Young Poland was a diverse period in Polish visual arts, literature and music, covering roughly the years between 1890 and 1918. The movement promoted trends of decadence, neo-Romanticism, Symbolism, Impressionism and Art Nouveau. Prominent artists include Józef Mehoffer, Stanisław Wyspiański, Olga Boznańska, Jacek Malczewski, Leon Wyczółkowski.