Houses in Poland - Housing Styles

Housing Styles

During the times of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the 19th century when Poland did not exist as an independent country, there was a large aristocracy that built country palaces. Members of this elite also had residences in a major city or town but, as in France, these were large lateral apartments rather than town houses. Therefore houses built before the Second World War tend to fall into two types: palaces and 2-4 room wooden houses. In some towns such as Zakopane and Nałęców stunning examples of town houses still exist but they are the exception rather than the norm.

After the Second World War brick built houses became more popular and led to a distinctive style during the 1960s and 1970s. In the last 25 years there has been exceptional growth in Polish wealth which has allowed many Poles to build their own property. Unlike many European countries there has been less pressure on land (until very recently) which has led to hundreds of thousands of new properties being constructed, mostly by the owner to their own specification although there is a certain style involved. This new wealth has also allowed many Poles to purchase recreational land for summer and weekend use. Here they often build smaller houses not meant for the winter.