The Ismailiyya building in Baku, modeled after the Doge’s Palace in Venice, stands as a primary example of the work produced by Józef Płoszko. Operating across the Russian Empire during the transition from the 19th to the 20th century, Płoszko shaped the architectural landscape of Azerbaijan through his collaboration with wealthy industrialists and local administrations.
Professional Formation and Move to Baku
Born in 1867, Płoszko received his technical education at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Civil Engineers. Following his graduation in 1895, he spent two years working in Kiev. His career trajectory shifted when he accepted an invitation from fellow architect Józef Gosławski to relocate to Baku. There, Płoszko eventually served as the chief architect of the city administration's construction department.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Collaborations and Institutional Projects
Płoszko secured commissions from major figures including Agha Musa Naghiyev, Murtuza Mukhtarov, Nuri Amiraslanov, and the Rylski family. His independent output began with the Ismailiyya building on Nikolayevskaya Street, commissioned by Naghiyev. He later designed the Mukhtarov Mosque in Vladikavkaz, constructed on the Terek River bank, and oversaw the restoration of the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi.
Urban Development and Later Commissions
In 1908, he constructed the building that currently functions as the Baku Puppet Theatre, originally known as the Phenomenon cinema. His portfolio expanded to include the Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baku, finished in 1912, and the Palace of Happiness, built for Mukhtarov. Between 1910 and 1912, he designed a mansion for Kerbalayi Israfil Hajiyev. His final project before World War I was the New Europe hotel on Qoncharovskaya Street, a structure notable for incorporating reinforced concrete and advanced mechanical systems.
Final Years
Following the October Revolution, Płoszko remained in Baku, collaborating with Ziverbey Ahmadbeyov on city planning projects for the Absheron Peninsula. In 1925, he concluded three decades of residency in Azerbaijan, moving first to Warsaw and subsequently to France. He died in 1931.
Fast facts
- Born: 1867
- Died: 1931
- Education: Saint Petersburg Institute of Civil Engineers
- Major works: Ismailiyya building, Baku Puppet Theatre
- Worked in: Vladikavkaz, Baku
- Citizenship: Congress Poland, Second Polish Republic
Questions readers ask
What is the Ismailiyya building used for today?
It currently houses the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
Where did Płoszko work after leaving Baku in 1925?
He moved to Warsaw and later relocated to France.
Achievements
- Notable work: Baku Puppet Theatre
- Trained at Saint Petersburg Institute of Civil Engineers
.jpg)
