Wywłaszczenia na użytek publiczny w Wolnym Mieście Krakowie (1815–1846) a ochrona prawa własności
Expropriations for public use in the Free City of Krakow (1815–1846) in the context of the protection of property rights

Summary/Abstract: The article presents the history of the expropriation law in the Free City of Krakow, in particular its adoption in 1821 and its application by the governmental authorities (The Governing Senate, Administrative Council) and judicial authorities (Court of First Instance). Further articles of the expropriation law have been analysed in detail, drawing attention to its links with the Napoleon’s Code, as well as the guarantees for citizens, consisting in the admissibility of the seizure of property by the government only for important reasons and with just compensation. This was also reflected in the possibility to appeal to the Court of First Instance if the remuneration was set by the government at a level which was not satisfactory to the parties. On the example of two important investments, i.e. the construction of a railway line in the direction of Silesia (1844–1847) and a road to Podgórski Bridge (1844–1850), the most important elements of the so-called expropriation procedure, modelled on French solutions from the early nineteenth century, were recreated. The article is mainly based on rich archival materials, which belong to the National Archives in Krakow, including the Sejm and Senate files and the books of judgments of the Court of First Instance (the “WMK Archive”).

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