Uphagen House in Gdańsk - Visit and travel back in time 200 years
- Damian Brzeski
- Feb 28
- 13 min read
Is it possible to travel back in time and see how the 18th-century Gdańsk elite lived? Just visit the Uphagen House – a unique tenement house, one of the few in Europe to have retained its original layout and décor.
Richly decorated interiors, intricately crafted stucco and oriental paintings transport visitors to the Rococo era. What secrets does this extraordinary house hide?
How did it survive the destruction of war and become part of the Gdańsk Museum? Discover the fascinating history of the Uphagen House and learn about the lives of Gdańsk citizens from over 200 years ago.
History of the Johann Wilhelm Uphagen House
Johann Wilhelm Uphagen is one of the most significant figures of 18th-century Gdańsk . Born in 1731, he came from a wealthy merchant family of Flemish origins.
His father, Nicolaus Uphagen, was a successful merchant, which enabled Johann to gain a well-rounded education. He studied at the University of Königsberg, where he delved into philosophy, law, and economics.
After returning to Gdańsk , Johann Uphagen took over the family estate and developed a merchant business. As a member of the City Council, he actively participated in the economic and cultural life of the city.
In 1775, he decided to buy a prestigious tenement house at 12 Długa Street , which he decided to transform into a magnificent residence. This is how the Johann Uphagen tenement house was created, reflecting the wealth and taste of the Gdańsk bourgeoisie.
His ambition was to create interiors in line with the latest architectural trends of the era. Uphagen's house was decorated in the Rococo style, with attention to every detail.
The spacious rooms were decorated with elegant wainscoting , decorative moldings and wall paintings, including paintings on a Chinese theme . Among the representative rooms stood out the music room , the flower room and the stylish tea room .
Even though Johann Uphagen died without issue in 1802, his residence survived as an exceptional example of an 18th-century bourgeois home.
Currently, the Uphagen House is a branch of the Gdańsk Museum , allowing you to tour the House of Councillor Johann and admire the reconstructed interiors of the house , which take visitors back to the times of its glory.
Reconstruction in Rococo style
After purchasing the tenement house in 1775, Johann Wilhelm Uphagen decided to give it a more representative character. The reconstruction was in line with the spirit of the era, and the inspiration was the Rococo style - light, elegant and full of decorative details.
The interiors of Uphagen's tenement house gained decorative stuccowork , intricately decorated wainscoting and multi-colored polychromes, which emphasized the owner's prestige.
Particular attention was paid to the representative interiors of the tenement house , where oriental, mythological and floral motifs, fashionable in the 18th century, appeared.
There was no shortage of modern solutions, such as a separate tea room , where the owner of the Uphagen house received guests, and an elegant dining room intended for banquets. Furniture, fabrics and decorations came from the best craftsmen of Gdańsk and Europe, giving the interiors exceptional luxury.
Thanks to this reconstruction, the Uphagen House became not only a place of residence, but also a symbol of the status and refined taste of its owner.
Currently, the Uphagen House is part of the Gdańsk Museum , and its reconstructed interiors allow you to admire the splendor of 18th-century bourgeois architecture.
Reconstruction after World War II
The fate of the Uphagen House , like many other monuments of Gdańsk , was tragically marked by the events of World War II.
In 1944, in the face of the approaching front, part of the Gdańsk Museum collections located in the tenement house were evacuated, but the building itself did not escape destruction. In 1945, during the fighting for Gdańsk , the house was seriously damaged - the roof collapsed and the interior of the house burned down.
After the war, the city began a laborious process of rebuilding. The house of councilor Johann Uphagen was not high on the list of priorities, and its reconstruction did not take place until several decades later.
Thanks to preserved documents and pre-war inventories, it was possible to faithfully recreate the reconstructed interiors of the house , including the decorations and ornaments that once adorned the residence.
It was not until 1998 that the Uphagen House reopened its doors to visitors, becoming a branch of the Gdańsk Museum as a museum of bourgeois interiors .
The contemporary exhibition is the result of years of research, conservation and reconstruction, thanks to which visitors can now admire the Uphagen House in almost exactly the same condition as in its heyday.
Museum of Burgher Interiors
The house of councillor Johann Uphagen is the only tenement house of Johann Uphagen from the 18th century in Gdańsk and one of the few in Europe that can be visited in its original layout and interior design.
The Museum of Bourgeois Interiors , opened in 1998, faithfully recreates the former atmosphere of a wealthy merchant's house in Gdańsk, presenting the everyday life of the upper classes of society in the Enlightenment era.
The exhibition includes original furniture, paintings, fabrics, porcelain and decorations that refer to the Rococo style and early classicism. The following are particularly impressive:
Elaborately decorated wainscoting and polychromes, made according to 18th-century patterns,
Chinese-themed paintings on the walls of the teahouse , testifying to the fascination with the Far East,
Period furniture, recreated based on archival descriptions and inventories,
Historic tiled stoves, which in the past served both a decorative and heating function.
Visitors can admire the living and utility rooms , including the dining room, kitchen, music room and representative living room.
Each of these elements has been carefully reconstructed to reflect the character of the era and emphasize the wealth and refined taste of the former owners. Visiting the Uphagen House is a unique journey through time, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of 18th-century Gdańsk .
Visiting the Uphagen House
The Uphagen House is a must-see for anyone who wants to feel the atmosphere of 18th-century Gdańsk . Visiting the Uphagen House is an extraordinary journey through time, allowing you to discover how the rich Gdańsk bourgeoisie lived in the Rococo era.
What is it like to tour the Uphagen House?
Individual – each visitor can freely walk inside the Uphagen House , admiring the architectural details, the facade of the Uphagen House and the rich decorations.
With a guide – guided tours are available, during which you can learn about the history of the building, its former inhabitants and the realities of life in 18th-century Gdańsk . Uphagena's tenement house resembles the residence of a wealthy merchant, and guides bring this unique atmosphere closer.
For organised groups – the Gdańsk Museum offers special educational tours for schools and thematic guided tours for adults, enabling detailed knowledge of the reconstructed interiors of the house and the old way of life.
Nowadays, the Uphagen House is not only a museum, but also a place where visiting the Uphagen House becomes a real history lesson, full of authentic objects and extraordinary stories.
Practical information
📍 Location : 12 Długa Street, Gdańsk
⏰ Opening hours :
Monday : 10:00–16:00 ( free admission! )
Wednesday–Saturday : 10:00–16:00
Thursday : 10:00–18:00
Sunday : 11:00–16:00
( The museum is closed on Tuesdays. )
🎟 Ticket prices :
Normal : 22 PLN
Reduced : 15 PLN
Family : 80 PLN
90-day pass : PLN 120 ( regular ), PLN 80 ( reduced )
Now a branch of the Gdańsk Museum , the Uphagen House is located in the heart of the city, making it easy to find while walking along Długi Targ .
There are other attractions nearby, such as Neptune's Fountain , Main Town Hall or Artus Court , which allows you to combine a visit to the Uphagen House with exploring the historical part of Gdańsk .
Virtual Tour of the Museum
For those unable to visit the Uphagen House in person, the museum offers the Uphagen House Virtual Tour , which allows you to admire its interior from anywhere in the world.
What can you see online?
The virtual tour includes:
Interactive 360° panoramas – allow you to "walk" inside the House of Councillor Johann Uphagen and zoom in on architectural details.
High-quality photos – showing the most interesting elements of the interior design, such as decorative wainscoting , antique furniture or unique paintings with a Chinese theme .
Historical descriptions – each room has short notes explaining its purpose and characteristic features.
How to use the Uphagen House Virtual Tour ?
To take a virtual tour of the Uphagen House , simply visit the Uphagen House website , available on the Gdańsk Museum portal.
It is also worth checking out the materials shared on the museum's social media, where additional photos and interesting facts related to the exhibition are often published.
A virtual tour of the interior of the Uphagen House is a great alternative for people who cannot visit Gdańsk but would like to see what the life of the wealthy bourgeoisie was like in the 18th century.
Uphagen's house and its interior
The Uphagen House is an example of a perfectly preserved 18th-century townhouse, whose interiors reflect the splendor and sophistication of that era. The well-thought-out layout of the rooms and rich decorations testify to the high social status and tastes of the elites of Gdańsk at that time.
Each room had a specific function, and its decor was not only to please the eye, but also to emphasize the owner's prestige. Below we present the most important interiors of the house, which delight visitors with their historical character and attention to detail.
First floor living room – representative interior
The drawing room on the first floor is the most impressive room in the Uphagena Tenement . It was the main representative room, where guests were received and social gatherings were organized.
Its interior design reflected the status of the house's owner, Uphagen , and the prevailing 18th-century trends in interior design.
Characteristic features of the living room:
Richly decorated wainscoting – the walls were covered with intricately carved wood, often gilded or painted in pastel colours.
Ceiling polychromes – depicting mythological and allegorical scenes.
Stylish furniture – elegant chairs, armchairs and tables from the period, made by the best craftsmen from Gdansk.
An antique tiled stove – decorated with delicate reliefs, which is both a decorative element and a source of heat.
Crystal chandelier – casting soft light, adding shine to the interior and emphasizing its luxurious character.
The living room served as both a representative space and a place for everyday meetings for the household.
It was here that business was transacted, politics and culture were discussed, and evenings were spent playing music and board games.
Music room and its decorations
The music room is one of the most atmospheric interiors of Johann Uphagen's tenement house . In the 18th century, music played a key role in the social life of the upper classes, which is why wealthy homes often had a separate room for chamber concerts and musical evenings.
What makes a music room unique?
🎼 Instruments of the period – the room contains a table piano and other instruments, such as a lute and violin, typical of 18th-century salon performances.
🎨 Wall decorations – the room is dominated by rich painted decorations, including musical motifs and allegories of art, typical of the Rococo style.
🪑 Stylish furniture – light, elegant armchairs and sofas arranged around a central area intended for musicians.
🕰 Mantel clock – beautifully decorated, it often indicated the times of concerts and meetings.
It was here that the Uphagens and their guests listened to works by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach , George Frideric Handel and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart .
Teahouse with Chinese motifs
The tea room in the Uphagen House is one of the most unusual interiors, reflecting the fashion for Orientalism that prevailed in the 18th century.
What makes a tea room unique?
🍵 Oriental paintings – the walls are decorated with scenes of Chinese landscapes, exotic birds and pagodas, typical of the so-called chinoiserie .
🎎 Light, openwork furniture – made of exotic types of wood, referring to the oriental style.
☕ Porcelain from China – in the room you can see 18th-century cups and teapots that were imported from the Far East.
🖼 Decorative screens – richly decorated, often depicting oriental plant motifs and scenes from the life of the Chinese aristocracy.
The large dining room and its mythological decorations
The large dining room at the Uphagen House was the heart of social life – it was here that lavish dinners and meetings with the most important guests took place.
What makes the dining room stand out?
🍽 Monumental mythological paintings – the ceiling and walls are decorated with scenes inspired by Greek and Roman mythology.
🕯 Crystal chandeliers – provide elegant lighting and add shine to the interior.
🪑 A long, wooden table from the era – surrounded by richly decorated chairs, perfect for entertaining guests.
🥂 Porcelain tableware – many items came from renowned factories such as Meissen or Delft.
🔥 Decorative tiled stove – it was both a source of heat and a decoration of the room.
Kitchen and pantry - utility room
Although the representative interiors of the Councillor Johann Uphagen House dazzle with their splendor, one cannot forget about the kitchen and the pantry, which were key rooms ensuring the efficient functioning of the house.
What did the kitchen in the Uphagen House look like?
🔥 Open stove and fireplace – the central point of the kitchen, used for both cooking and heating the room.
🍞 Wooden work table – where ingredients for dishes were prepared, dough was kneaded and meat was cut.
🫕 Copper pots and pans – hung on the walls for easy access by cooks.
🧂 Spice containers – they contained, among others, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper, imported from overseas colonies.
Pantry – a place to store supplies
🥩 Salted meat and fish – thanks to salt preservation, they could be stored for a long time.
🧀 Cheese and dairy products – stored in cooler places, often in special clay vessels.
🍎 Dried fruits and vegetables – used out of season.
🍷 Barrels of wine and beer – an inseparable element of a wealthy Gdańsk home.
🥖 Bread and pastries – baked on site or delivered by local bakers.
Even though the kitchen and pantry were utility rooms, attention to detail was also visible here – the original tiles on the walls were preserved, giving the interior an elegant feel, even in a place intended mainly for servants.
The role of the Gdańsk Museum in managing the facility
The Uphagen House is part of the Gdańsk Museum , an institution responsible for protecting and promoting the city's heritage. It is the Gdańsk Museum that manages the building, preserves the interiors, and organizes exhibitions and cultural events.
What actions is the Gdańsk Museum taking?
🏛 Taking care of the exhibition – ensuring the authenticity of the interiors, preserving furniture and works of art.
📚 Historical research – work on the reconstruction of old interiors based on archival documents and inventories.
🎭 Event organization – the museum organizes lectures, workshops and concerts that present the everyday life of 18th-century Gdańsk residents.
📲 Digitization of collections – introduction of virtual tours and making materials available online to a wider audience.
👨🏫 Education and workshops – an offer for schools and organized groups, popularizing the history of Gdańsk and the former bourgeoisie.
Thanks to the efforts of the Gdańsk Museum , the Uphagen House has not only retained its historical character, but has also become one of the most valuable museum objects in Poland, attracting lovers of history and architecture from all over the world.
Uphagen's house is not only a beautifully restored tenement house, but also an important element of the cultural heritage of Gdańsk . Its history shows how wealthy citizens lived in the 18th century, and the building itself is one of the few examples of a preserved burgher house from that period.
The Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation and its contribution
The reconstruction and renovation of the Uphagen House would not have been possible without the support of institutions dealing with the protection of cultural heritage. One of the key entities involved in the conservation process was the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation , which financially supported the reconstruction of the interiors and equipment of the building.
How did the foundation contribute to the reconstruction?
🏛 Financing renovation works – the funds were allocated to the restoration of polychromes, wainscoting and furniture conservation.
📜 Archival research – thanks to the foundation, it was possible to find and secure documents relating to the original appearance of the tenement house.
🎨 Support for conservators – cooperation programmes have enabled the employment of experts specialising in the renovation of 18th-century interiors.
🌍 International promotion of the monument – the foundation's activities helped to publicize the importance of the Uphagen House in the European arena.
Thanks to this cooperation, the tenement house It regained its former glory and became one of the best-preserved examples of 18th-century bourgeois architecture in Europe.
The Uphagen Family Association and its activities
One of the key entities involved in the preservation of the Uphagen House is the Uphagen Family Association ( Familienverband Uphagen ), which brings together descendants and relatives of Johann Uphagen .
This organisation, operating mainly in Germany, has for years supported initiatives related to preserving the family heritage and its influence on the history of Gdańsk .
What actions does the Uphagen Family Association take?
📜 Documenting the family history – the organization collects archival documents, letters and items related to the Uphagen family.
💰 Financial support for the museum – The Association has repeatedly provided funds for the renovation and maintenance of the exhibition.
📖 Genealogical research – members of the organization work on reconstructing the family tree.
🌍 Cooperation with Gdańsk – The Association maintains contacts with the Gdańsk Museum and supports educational and promotional projects.
Thanks to the involvement of the Uphagen Family Association , the Uphagen Tenement House remains a living monument of history, and the memory of its founder is still cultivated both in Poland and abroad.
Uphagen House in Gdańsk – conservation works and news
The Uphagen House in Gdańsk , known as the Museum of Burgher Interiors , is an object of rich history and cultural significance. Currently, various conservation activities are being carried out and novelties are being introduced, which aim to preserve and promote this unique monument.
Conservation activities
Interior renovation : The Uphagen House underwent a series of conservation works aimed at restoring the original 18th-century interior decoration. In 1992-1996, the renovation and furnishing were co-financed by the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation .
Collection protection : The Gdańsk Museum regularly carries out conservation work on collections to protect them from degradation. This applies to both furniture and other equipment.
Education and promotion : Exhibitions and educational events are organized to raise awareness of the historical and cultural values of the Uphagen House . For example, in December 2024, the exhibition "Doors, locks, columns" was held, which attracted the attention of visitors.
Repair of the facade and structure of the building : Periodic renovations prevent degradation of the tenement house and help maintain its stability.
Modernization of lighting and exhibition conditions : Application of modern technologies to present interiors without interfering with their original appearance.
News
Temporary exhibitions : The Gdańsk Museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions that present various topics related to the history of Gdańsk and art. For example, in February 2024, an exhibition dedicated to the collection of maps of a Gdańsk enthusiast is planned.
Cooperation with other institutions : The Uphagena House cooperates with various organizations and associations, which allows for the organization of joint events and research projects.
Investments in infrastructure : In the coming years, further investments in museum infrastructure and modernisation of the exhibition space are planned, which aims to improve the comfort of visiting and increase the attractiveness of the museum offer.
Thanks to these activities, the Uphagen House is an important element of Gdańsk's cultural heritage , and its conservation and development are crucial for preserving local history and educating future generations.
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