IWONA SZUSTAKIEWICZ

The architects’ skills were highly influenced by the education process and available publications. The article presents the possibilities of gaining professional skills in Warsaw in the 19^th century. The analysis of educational programs – beginning with the Construction and Surveying Faculty at the Warsaw University established in 1816, via the Institute of Technology, gradually created from 1826, to the Construction Department of the School of Fine Arts, operating from 1844, demonstrated that the direction of architecture education in Warsaw were in principle in line with general European trends, despite unfavourable political conditions. They were characterised by a gradual departure from the focus on aesthetical aspects of the construction art towards solid technical preparation supported by knowledge of mathematics and physics.

Architectural publications became an important tool to popularise architectural forms in 19^th century, and therefore the improvement of professional skills: inventories of the masterpieces of old architecture, authors’ collections of designs, magazines. Western European publications were known in Warsaw - the designs of outstanding Warsaw architects were also printed - as well as technical periodicals for which architects wrote.

Key words: Warsaw architecture 19^th century, architect’s skills, architectural education