The ‘Crooked House’ in Poland: A Surreal Architectural Marvel

The Crooked House, or Krzywy Domek in Polish, is one of the most famous and photographed landmarks in Poland. This extraordinary building, spanning approximately 4,000 square meters, forms part of the Rezydent shopping center in Sopot. Its distorted appearance draws thousands of visitors from around the world. Located on Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street, a bustling pedestrian zone filled with shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, the Crooked House stands out as a surreal masterpiece. Designed in 2004 by Polish architects Szczepan Szotyński and Zaleski, it was inspired by the illustrations of Polish artist Jan Marcin Szancer and Swedish artist Per Oscar Gustav Dahlberg. The structure resembles a melting house, echoing the works of Salvador Dalí, with irregular windows, wavy walls, and an unconventional roofline. Despite its whimsical exterior, the building serves practical purposes, housing shops, restaurants, cafes, offices, and even a local radio station. Due to its unique architecture and surreal design, it has been dubbed Europe’s strangest building.