Aula Leopoldinum (The Leopoldine Hall) – A dream coming true
On 18 January at the invitation of the Rector of the University of Wrocław, Prof. Adam Jezierski, the Leopoldine Hall, where another stage of comprehensive renovation was completed at the end of last year, was visited by the Mayor of Wrocław, Rafał Dutkiewicz.
Autor: Kamilla Jasińska
Publication date: 28 April 2022
The project’s main objective is to restore the full exhibition value of the Leopoldine Hall through comprehensive renovation of its historic decoration. The total cost is estimated at approximately PLN 7-8 million. The first million was provided by the University. In recent years, it was commissioned to prepare a conservation design, construction design and detailed designs, preceded by very detailed conservation and structural studies carried out in 2008-2009.
The commencement of the long-awaited conservation works was possible thanks to the financial support of the Municipality of Wrocław. Moreover, in 2015 and 2016 the Foundation for the University of Wrocław was given two grants from the field of protection of national heritage goods and culture. The total grant amounted to nearly PLN 2 million.
The construction works began with renovation and strengthening of the ceiling structure above the Hall. These were the most urgent, consuming more than PLN 900 000 works. Thanks to the independent ceiling construction, it was possible to eliminate, or at least minimise, the transfer of loads to the corbel vault, which is the frame of the vault paintings. After completing these essential works, it was possible to proceed to the renovation of the Hall’s interior. The most expensive and the most time-consuming is the complex conservation of the art decor (a total of about 5 million zloty). Therefore, it was decided to divide the restoration and conservation work into smaller stages. It was settled that the podium would be the first to undergo renovation. The second subsidy of nearly PLN 900 000 from the city was allocated for this purpose.
The work, which began in July 2016, lasted five months. It included monumental paintings of the vault and walls, sculptures, stucco, cladding of coloured stucco marbling, woodcarving elements, furniture and the podium platform. A team of a dozen or so, and sometimes several dozen, art restorers worked 6 or 7 days a week, several hours a day. At the same time, furniture underwent conservation treatment at workshops in Myslenice and Stroza (Lesser Poland Voivodeship). The renovation of such an interior as the Leopoldine Hall is regarded as one of the most interesting conservation tasks in recent decades. This is why the university authorities decided that the Hall would be open to the public during the conservation work. However, no ceremonies would be held there. The official acceptance inspections were completed at the end of December. On 18 January, the Hall was presented to the Wrocław authorities.
The significance of the Leopoldine Hall for the University of Wrocław was recalled by the rector. Adam Jezierski said, “The Hall arouses admiration and widespread delight of the guests of our university, who believe that there is no other such hall. We must take care of it, as we are the depositories of history.” It was stated that without the support of people of good will the university would not be able to manage such an expensive renovation of the Hall. The rector said, “Dr Rafał Dutkiewicz, the mayor of Wroclaw, turned out to be a man of good will. He responded positively to our requests and led to the fact that something we had been dreaming about for a very long time happened.” In 2015 and 2016 the university received nearly PLN 2 million from municipal funds. The rector thanked not only the mayor of Wrocław, but also the city conservator of monuments, Ms. Katarzyna Hawrylak-Brzezowska, and Dr Łukasz Krzywka, responsible for all works carried out at the university monuments. The Rector expressed particular thanks and admiration for the work done to the restorers who worked with great commitment and dedication to restore the podium to its former glory. Prof. Adam Jezierski said, “I watched them at work almost every day and cheered them on. I saw how emotionally they approached the task, because this is how the Hall works. It binds people emotionally.”
Mayor of Wrocław, Rafał Dutkiewicz said, “Thanks to the fact that we have such magnificent buildings as the Leopoldine Hall in Wroclaw, we will always be the European Capital of Culture.” He noted that baroque buildings are particularly pleasing to the people of Wrocław, because they are used to gothic buildings, of which there are many more in the city. The mayor promised, “We will certainly actively support the rest of the renovation.” Rafał Dutkiewicz assured that he would urge potential sponsors to help. Turning to Rector Jezierski, he said, ”I hope that you will go down in history as the one who renovated in its entirety this one of the most valuable monuments in Wrocław and Lower Silesia.”
The work carried out in 2015-2016 was immortalised with a special commemorative pedestal. It was unveiled jointly by Mayor Rafał Dutkiewicz and Rector Adam Jezierski.
The next stage of the works will be the strengthening and conservation of the music gallery. Due to the technical condition of this part of the hall, the conservation should be carried out later this year.
Translated by Stefania Nowak (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.