Świętokrzyskie is one of the geologically oldest areas in Europe. Within a small area, rocks and fossils from all geological peroids can be found. The region abounds in mineral resources – from deposits of sandstone, limestone, and iron, copper, and lead ores to the unique striped flint. It was here that the land animal tracks classified as the world’s oldest were discovered. One could say that we all come from the Kielce area. At the same time, we know very little about this region and its architecture.

The subtle architectural regionalism that has developed in this area draws on vernacular building practices, the availability of local materials, the landscape, and industry. However, these vary across different parts of the province. The guide seeks to capture this architectural diversity of the Świętokrzyskie region. That is why the buildings described here also include those lacking outstanding features – but which constitute an important record of the historical moment in which they were built. However, iconic works are not missing here – such as the Kielce bus station, the glassworks in Sandomierz, and the Święty Krzyż TV Tower.

Our publication is the first comprehensive study on the architecture of the Świętokrzyskie region. For years, the trade press showed little interest in this region – focusing instead on Warsaw, Kraków, and Silesia. The scarcity of studies and source materials has made it impossible to determine the dates of construction, or the names of architects for some buildings significant to architectural history. However, the lack of documentation available should not mean that buildings characteristic to the region remain unnoticed. The history of Świętokrzyskie architecture still awaits discovery and further research.

The book is available only in Polish.

Kacper Kępiński – architect, architecture critic, curator. Deputy Director of National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning. Member of the board of Institute of Architecture Foundation. Regular contributor to “Autoportret. A Quarterly on Good Space” and editor of “Architektura & Biznes”. Curator of exhibitions, including “Humanist Modernity” and “The Anthropocene”.

Ruch tektoniczny. Przewodnik po powojennej architekturze województwa świętokrzyskiego [Tectonic Movement. A Guide to Postwar Architecture in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship]
Author: Kacper Kępiński
Series: Przewodniki [Guides]
Book design: kilku.com (Idalia Smyczyńska and Robert Zając)
Publisher: National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning, Warsaw 2023
ISBN: 978-83-965401-6-4
Price: 65 zł