burgher's house Burgher house

The townhouse in the village Bardejov, located in Prešov region, is an example of architecture from the 15th century and at the same time a monument of national importance in Slovakia. This object represents the type of terraced house with the first Renaissance architecture that developed in the medieval and early years. It is an example of the town building from the time when various types of houses began to develop in cities according to the solvency of owners and functions necessary for business or craft activities.

The historical context of this house is closely linked to the development of urban buildings. In the Middle Ages, houses were wooden, but in the case of more solvent owners appeared also brick buildings. The types of these houses were influenced by material, the way of heating and defense. The tower house was a typical example of a block multi-storey house with a high wall, which was located on plots in the line of a building block. The chamber house had a simple longitudinal floor plan and it was possible to extend it through the passage. Hall house repeated the hall space on the floor, which allowed more efficient use of space.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the nobility began to be interested in living in cities, which led to the rebuilding of houses into representative settlements with modified front courtyards. In the 19th century, the population of cities grew and residential rental houses, designed to increase the population density, appeared. These houses followed the traditions of the city's palace with technique and formwork.

The townhouse in Bardejov is an example of a terraced house that preserved its architectural concept of facade despite modifications of the parter. Its position fixes the older urban situation and represents the type of burgher house of the period of late Renaissance and Baroque. Architecturally it is a building with preserved overall expression and ground plan-space composition.

Today this house is registered by the Monument Office of the Slovak Republic under the number ÚZPF 1691. Its current state enables visitors to see its historical and architectural importance. The townhouse in Bardejov is worth a visit not only for its history, but also as an example of how the city developed over the centuries.

This object is a witness of the past and its visit enables a better understanding of the historical and cultural heritage of Slovakia, thus becoming an integral part of the journey of every interested in Slovak architecture.