Orsetti House and Town Hall in Jarosław
Medals available at the Gruszewiczów Tenement House, Market Square 6!
The history of the city dates back to the first half of the 11th century when the Ruthenian prince Yaroslav the Wise built a fortified stronghold on the steep left bank of the San River, naming it after himself. Initially, Jarosław was located on St. Nicholas Hill.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Jarosław flourished due to the growth of trade, particularly its famous fairs, which were considered among the largest in Europe.
Up to 30,000 people attended the Jarosław fairs. The townspeople provided food, lodging, storage space for goods, and stables for visitors. The fairs significantly influenced urban architecture.
A distinct type of tenement house emerged in Jarosław, closely tied to its commercial function—the so-called “Jarosław tenement.” These houses were adapted for trade, modeled after Oriental caravanserais (fondouks). They featured an inner courtyard (wiatą) lit by windows or skylights extending above the roof. The basements, known as “merchant cellars,” were often multi-level and carved into the loess rock (which extends about 30 meters beneath the market square). These were used to store goods brought to the fairs.
Another characteristic feature was the “great halls,” where merchants were invited to sign contracts or close deals. These interiors showcased the owner’s wealth, decorated with stucco, paintings, and beautiful vaulted ceilings.
The most recognizable historic tenements in the city are the Town Hall and the Orsetti House—one of the most beautiful burgher houses in Poland, symbolizing the city’s wealth and importance. Built between 1570–1585 and expanded in 1633–1646, its owner, Wilhelm Orsetti, was an Italian merchant and banker from Lucca who traded in silk, Italian cloth, copper, and metal goods. Since 1945, the building has housed the Jarosław Museum, featuring historical exhibits, period interiors, and artifacts related to the city’s past.
The first mention of Jarosław’s Town Hall dates to the late 15th century. Initially wooden, it burned down in 1600 and was rebuilt in stone. After another fire in 1625, it was restored in late Renaissance style. Like other buildings in the square, it had multi-level cellars. In 1782, the Austrians converted it into military workshops, demolishing two floors. It was later rebuilt in English Neo-Gothic and then Neo-Renaissance style. The tower features a clock from 1896, made in Vienna by Richard Liebing’s workshop, which requires winding every 36 hours.
