A Masterpiece of Construction: Wilhelm Claassen's Half-Timbered House in Nowa Kościelnica
In the northern part of Nowa Kościelnica, there stands a unique half-timbered house, built in 1840 for Wilhelm Claassen and later owned by the Dyck family. Its wooden structure, resting on a stone-brick foundation, captivates with its architectural artistry. The front facade is particularly striking with its timber-framed gable, filled with brick, supported by six wooden front columns, four side columns, and two timbered walls. The columns, standing on solid brick bases, rest on a common, masonry foundation.
The gable is adorned with decorative festoons reminiscent of finely draped fabric, while the corners of the building are protected by profiled pilasters. The lintel bears an inscription containing the name of the builder, the name of the first owner, and the date of construction. The corners of the building are covered with boards stylized as Tuscan pilasters, adding elegance to the structure.
The house is designed on a three-bay plan. The spacious main room occupied the southwest corner, while the divided hall in the center of the house separated two kitchens. In the northern part of the building, there were two rooms separated by stairs.
This unique example of Żuławy architecture, combining aesthetics with functionality, remains a testament to the former building traditions and artistic craftsmanship of the region.
