Ponikauhaus

The Ponikauhaus, a grand patrician palace located in the heart of Kempten, Bavaria, stands as a testament to the city's rich history and architectural splendor. This magnificent building, which now houses the Allgäuer Volksbank, is a significant landmark that once represented the free imperial city's counterpoint to the Throne Hall of the Princely Abbey of Kempten. The Ponikauhaus, with its elegant facade and historically rich interiors, offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Kempten's patrician families and the city's vibrant past.

The History of Ponikauhaus

The Ponikauhaus we see today emerged from the unification of two houses, known as P 73 and P 74, later referred to as Gerberstraße 13 and Rathausplatz 10. The earliest recorded mention of these properties dates back to 1499, though it is believed that the site may have been occupied even earlier. Historical documents from 1196 suggest that the area might have hosted the Saltzhaus am Markt, where market stalls sold salt and other goods. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the building's cellars were used to store wine, rock salt, salt discs, and spices.

The first documented owner of the house was Hans Holdenried, a dyer who acquired the property in the 15th century. Despite his wealth, Holdenried faced restrictions on expanding his business and drying his dyed fabrics on the prestigious Rathausplatz. The house changed hands several times over the centuries, reflecting the evolving fortunes and ambitions of its owners.

In the 16th century, the property came into the possession of the city and was sold in 1571 to Lienhart Häl, a city architect. Around the same time, the grand merchant Joseph König, a patrician, combined it with the neighboring house. After his death, his son Joseph König the Younger, who was married to Sabine Mayr, daughter of the then-mayor Peter Mayr, undertook significant renovations, erecting a new building. The house continued to pass through the König family until 1624, when it was inherited by Tobias König's brother, David.

The house faced turmoil in 1633 when Joseph, David's son, was killed during the city's conquest by imperial troops. The property suffered extensive damage, and many valuable items, including the family's heraldic letter, were lost. In 1655, the house was purchased by Mayor Wolfgang Leonard Jenisch. The Jenisch family expanded and unified the property around 1740, adding a magnificent Baroque facade and creating an opulent Rococo-style ballroom in the upper part of the house.

In 1804, the house was inherited by Christoph Friedrich von Ponikau, from whom it derives its name. The Ponikau family, originally from Saxony, played a relatively short-lived but notable role in Kempten. By 1830, the house had passed into the hands of the city and subsequently to various owners, including the baker Ferdinand August Ackerknecht. Ackerknecht, seeking to maximize his investment, altered the grand ballroom by adding an intermediate floor, dividing the long windows and destroying much of the original stucco and paintings.

In 1916, the building was acquired by the Savings and Loan Association of Kempten, later known as the Allgäuer Volksbank. Despite initial uncertainty about whether to restore or abandon the building, the bank ultimately chose to preserve it. Significant restoration efforts were undertaken in the late 20th century, including the renovation of the ballroom in 1982/83, which saw the revival of Franz Georg Hermann's original paintings by artist and restorer Josef Lorch.

Exploring Ponikauhaus

The Ponikauhaus is a three-story building with an impressive eleven-window facade, characterized by an asymmetrical design due to the merging of two buildings. The facade features a rectangular bay window extending over the first and second floors, topped with a balcony, and a large dormer with arched windows and a curved, semicircular gable. The asymmetry is particularly noticeable in the right part of the dormer, which is significantly wider.

Inside, the building is a treasure trove of Rococo artistry. The ground floor features cross vaults with stucco ribs on chamfered pillars with profiled capitals. At the northern end of the ground floor is a remarkable rectangular staircase, dating back to around 1741, adorned with frescoes by Franz Georg Hermann and stucco work by Johann Georg Üblhör. The staircase's broad central flight is flanked by wooden balustrades with square balusters, and the ceilings and hallways are decorated with Rococo motifs.

The grand ballroom, located on the upper floors, is considered the counterpart to the Throne Hall of the Princely Abbey's residence. The room is filled with lavish Rococo cartouches, and its ceiling features a stunning fresco by Hermann depicting the Free Imperial City of Kempten inviting the gods of Olympus to a feast. The fresco is surrounded by allegorical figures representing the four seasons and the four elements, each depicted with exquisite detail and symbolism.

The southern wall of the ballroom is illuminated by three basket-arched windows, while the east and west walls feature alternating narrow and wide intervals. The east wall's central interval is highlighted by a stucco marble fireplace with corner volutes. The ceiling's mirror vault is adorned with a corniced frieze and overlapping picture cartouches. Above the central window is a Jenisch coat of arms flanked by putti and a helmet cartouche, while the opposite niche features drapery under three putti. The walls are further embellished with Rococo motifs, damask-patterned fields, and rough plaster.

The Ponikauhaus is not just a building; it is a living testament to Kempten's rich history and artistic heritage. Its walls and rooms tell the stories of the city's patrician families, their ambitions, and their contributions to Kempten's cultural and architectural landscape. A visit to the Ponikauhaus offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era.