SIXT’S VILLA ABOUT TO THROB WITH LIFE AGAIN

Following major renovation, the historic Villa of Theodor Sixt will soon be opened to the public. The opening is scheduled for May 2020.

Soon, the people of Bielsko-Biała will once again be able to visit the historic Sixt’s Villa – a neo-Renaissance residence designed and erected in 1883 by the renowned architect Karl Korn, who also created some of the city’s other spectacular landmark buildings. Standing between ulica 3 Maja and the parallel ulica Adama Mickiewicza, this magnificent villa has a small garden with some impressive old trees, including a gingko biloba. The villa has been returned to its original splendour thanks to a partnership between Galeria Bielska BWA – which was the investor and beneficiary of a European grant, the Provincial Conservator of Monuments, the Investment Department and the European Funds Department of the City Council, the architect and the contractor.

Agata Smalcerz, Director of Galeria Bielska BWA:
After two years of works, we are finally beginning to see the end of the renovation of the 19th century Theodor Sixt’s Villa at ul. Adama Mickiewicza 24. The project, named “Revitalization of Theodor Sixt’s Villa in Bielsko-Biała”, has been delivered by Galeria Bielska BWA and financed from the funds of the Regional Operational Program of the Province of Silesia and the Municipality of Bielsko-Biała. This venture is combined with a community project called "Sixt for You" which is run by the Municipal Centre for Social Welfare and funded from the European Social Fund. The project includes educational activities for various groups, including those combining children and senior citizens. The "Sixt for You" project will have its HQ in the southern wing of the building with a separate entrance and an outside elevator. The remaining part of the villa will serve as a venue for various artistic events and cultural meetings and,above all, it will provide space for the permanent exhibition of the Art Collection of Galeria Bielska BWA.
Before modern painting and sculpture become a permanent feature of Sixt’s Villa, the building will host a special exhibition in May which will accompany the International Puppetry Art Festival organized by the local Puppet Theatre “Banialuka” and its longtime director Lucyna Kozień.Sixt’s Villa will once again become available to the public on the Museum Night planned for 16 May, 2020.

The owner of the villa, Theodor Sixt, who was an entrepreneur, social activist, philanthropist, and one of the richest citizens of Bielsko, died childless in 1897. His will gave his wife, Anna, the right to live in the house for the rest of her life. After her death, the villa and the garden were to be transferred to the city on the condition that the villa could never be sold and its name would forever remain Sixt’s Villa.