Collegium Novum of the Jagiellonian University

Collegium Novum is a neo-Gothic building of the Jagiellonian University on Gołębia Street in the Old Town, right next to Planty Park. It was built in 1883-1887 and still houses the university authorities.

Architecture

It was designed by Feliks Księżarski, who took the Akademisches Gymnasium in Vienna and the Kreuzschule in Dresden as models. The two-storey brick building has a projecting central bay with an arcade opening through seven pointed-arch portals. The stone came from Dobczyce, Pińczów and Stracona, and the bricks from Maurycy Baruch's factory in Podgórze. The interiors and the wooden furnishings were designed by Tadeusz Stryjeński. The building is in the heritage register (no. 315, entered in 1966).

The assembly hall and a place of remembrance

The most important interior is the assembly hall, a rectangular room with a coffered ceiling, where "Astronomer Copernicus" by Jan Matejko and portraits of rectors hang, among other works.

On 6 November 1939, during Sonderaktion Krakau, professors and staff of the university were arrested here and then deported to concentration camps. A plaque commemorating the event hangs in room 56.

Today

The building houses the rector's office, deans' offices, administration and lecture rooms, so access to the interiors depends on the university's rules. The building is best viewed from outside from the side of Planty Park. Nearby stand the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi and the Bagatela Theatre.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Gołębia 24, Kraków, Old Town.
• Check the Jagiellonian University website for the possibility of visiting the interiors and for opening hours before your visit.