Walk in Gdańsk: Main Town
The Golden Tenement House/Shutterstock
The Golden Tenement House. Built in 1609 for Mayor Jan Speyman - a wealthy merchant and enlightened patron of the arts, and his wife Judyta Bahra, it is among the most beautiful buildings in Gdańsk. The project was designed by Abraham van den Blocke, who created part of the sculptural decoration, and was completed in 1618. The famous façade of the building is rich, with gold, stone reliefs depicting battle scenes and figures of rulers, including King Zygmunt III Waza and Wladyslaw Jagiello. Apparently mayor Speyman's wife, Judyta Maria, brought King Zygmunt III and his wife Anna of Austria here in 1623. Around 1660, the next mayor of Gdańsk, Piotr Henrich bought the house. During the time he owned the property, he reportedly discussed the shape of the Oliwa room in the building. Between 1786-1918 the house was owned by the Steffensów family from Gdańsk. Legend has it that a luminous figure sometimes walks the corridors of the house - the spirit of the beautiful Judyta Speyman whispering: "Do justly, not to fear anyone".