House no. 91, The Mielżyński Palace
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Mielżyński PalaceAs is the case with many other houses in the Old Market Square, the palace located "on the corner of the square to the left when facing Wroniecka Street" had owners among the bourgeoisie and the nobility. It was owned by the Opaliński family in the sixteenth century and by the Radomicki family in the eighteenth century. Eventually, in 1772 it was purchased by Maksymilian Mielżyński, the wealthiest landowner in Wielkopolska at the time.
It was at his request that the house was rebuilt a quarter of century later. The refurbishment was modelled on the monumental forms of the Działyński Palace but it differed inasmuch as it also featured rooms for rent, except for the owner's apartment. The design was by renowned architect Henryk Ittar and the work was performed by Jan Schulz.
The Mielżyński family endorsed many social and cultural initiatives in nineteenth century Poznań. Seweryn Mielżyński assembled a collection of paintings and prints which he gave to the Poznań Society of the Friends of Science (today it is the property of the National Museum). He also founded a building to house it in the street which now bears his name.
The plaque on the façade commemorates the visit of General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski, founder of the Polish Legions in Italy, and Józef Wybicki, author of the Polish national anthem. They came to Poznań in 1806 to launch successful opposition against the Prussians. It is worth remembering that Wybicki is buried in the Crypt of Eminent Wielkopolska Citizens in St Adalbert's Church, where Dąbrowski's heart was also laid to rest some years ago.