The most famous building in the city centre, built in the 16th century in Renaissance style. Originally a ground floor building, a floor was added in the 1560s. The ground floor was once used as shops, the upper floors as apartments. The building takes its name from the technique used on its façade, which originated in northern Italy. The technique consists of applying two layers of plaster to the wall and then removing one of them according to a predetermined pattern.
The Latin inscription on the façade dates from the 17th century and is a quotation from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. Translation: ‘Therefore not to him that willeth, nor to him that runneth but to God of mercy 1668’. This was the motto of the Transylvanian Prince George Rákóczi I, who concluded his exhortations to his son with this quote.
The building has been renovated several times, and during the restoration work a late Renaissance ceiling fresco was found, which researchers believe dates from the 17th century. It depicts the poor Lazarus and the rich man’s supper. The building is now the library and research space of the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK).
The owners of the house are known from the early 18th century. István Salamon, a surgeon and resident of Kőszeg, bought the property in 1711, and passed it on to Mátyás Haasz, also a surgeon, more than 50 years later, in 1765.
The house was then also owned by a surgeon, Anton Baumann married into the Haasz family. After her husband’s death, Anna Haasz was again listed as a taxpayer, now a widow, and for a few years her son was listed in the register. Although they had a certain amount of wealth, they had to take in people, mainly tradesmen, to live in the house. Some of them were glassmakers, painters, basket weavers, lead casters, carriers, tailors, shoemakers, fashion merchants and day labourers. The most famous owner in the 19th century was András Schlamatinger, who graduated in law in 1828. Initially he worked as a lawyer for the Transdanubian District Court in Kőszeg, but later he also became involved in local public life, obtaining his citizenship in 1833, becoming deputy town prosecutor in 1835 and notary of the electoral district. Elected councillor in 1843, he was appointed major of the local militia in 1846. He was temporarily appointed mayor of the town, and later, in addition to his office as mayor, he was appointed administrative slave magistrate of the Kőszeg district. In 1864, being of civilian origin, he was appointed governor of the county for six months and was rewarded with the title of royal councillor. He retired in 1867, after which he became a member of the board of directors of the Kőszeg Savings Bank, and then its president between 1874 and 1878.
András Schlamatinger sold the house in 1874, and due to inflation after World War I and the economic crisis of 1929, the property was auctioned. It was then bought by the Kőszeg Savings Bank and remained in its possession until nationalisation (1949).
Since 2015, the Sgraffito House has been home to the library of the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK), which places great emphasis on providing the Institute and the University of Pannonia Kőszeg Campus with the most up-to-date and colourful literature to support the research and teaching activities of the Institute. At present, including the special collections, it has a collection of nearly 10,000 volumes for readers interested in both social and natural sciences. Most of the books are available in English
Since autumn 2016, the facade and the library spaces have been renovated. Not only are the changes striking from the outside, but the addition of a new floor has allowed the interior spaces to be used to their maximum potential. On this floor, the information desk, two reading rooms, a lounge and a research room have been replaced, while upstairs, a multimedia room welcomes users.