Kamień w architekturze Pałacu Biskupów Krakowskich w Kielcach – próba identyfikacji

The authors were the first to attempt to identify the stones used in the architectural elements of the baroque Palace of the Kraków Bishops (built in 1637–1641) in Kielce. The founder of the residence was Bishop Jakub Zadzik of the Korab coat of arms. Despite the vicissitudes of fate, the residence defended itself against major transformations, retaining the original shape and as the decoration of the loggia, and is one of the most beautiful monuments from the Vasa era in Poland. However, the turbulent history of the palace, and especially numerous reconstructions, renovations, transfers of architectural elements as well as modifications and functional changes, caused difficulties in reconstructing the original interior design of the rooms, and especially in determining the periods from which the individual stone elements come. The stone decoration of the original palace was limited to the facade with loggias and figures of Swedish and Moscow envoys, a two-flight staircase and single portals inside the building, as well as the floor and fireplaces in the bishop’s rooms. The floor in the lower hallway and the lower diner room on the ground floor were probably also made of stone. Almost exclusively local stone was used: the so-called Kielce marbles (mainly Bolechowice limestone, “Zygmuntówka” conglomerate and Zelejowa rosa-like calcite) and various types of Lower Triassic sandstones from the Świętokrzyskie deposits. Few elements were made of black Dębnik limestone. Noteworthy is the Sanctuary of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, who was stationed in the palace, together with the legionary staff, in 1914. The interior of the main hall of the sanctuary is made of various types of Kielce marbles, mainly Bolechowice limestone, with elements of white Carrara marble. While the identification of carbonate rocks did not pose any major difficulties, assigning sandstone elements to a specific deposit turned out to be impossible in many cases, e.g. due to lack of comparative material.