Werner Sombart (born 19 January 1863 in Ermsleben, died 18 May 1941 in Berlin) – German sociologist and economist, head of the younger "Historical School" and one of the most influential social thinkers of the first half of the 20th century.
Between 1906 and 1909 Werner Sombart commissioned the construction of a house in what was then Schreiberhau – present-day Szklarska Poręba. The commission was accepted by the renowned architect Fritz Schumacher.
Sombart's house had a plinth storey built from granite blocks. Its rectangular outline was broken on the garden side by a projecting bay. The north–south entrance façade, characterised by multi-pane windows and wooden shingles on the second floor, showed the features of a suburban villa.
"The projecting bay housing the library also dominated the internal layout of the house. The two-storey rounded hall forms the heart of the entire arrangement, and only around this temple of the master of the house extends the modest wreath of rooms intended for his wife and four lively daughters." — Fritz Schumacher, memoirs
The library, lit by rectangular windows, occupied the space around the central axis of the building. The rounded form and height of the hall were the architectural focal point of the entire composition.
Later years
A close friend of Werner Sombart – perhaps this influenced his decision to leave Schreiberhau. After returning to Berlin, Werner's wife died. By that time each of his four daughters had her own family. Werner then married Corina née Leon, thirty years his junior, the daughter of a Romanian aristocrat. From the second marriage Werner had two children: son Nikolaus (born 1923, economist and sociologist, died 2008) and daughter Ninetta Sombart (born 1925, painter).
Werner's grave is in Berlin. His second wife Corina and son Nikolaus rest in the same place.
Villa Wernera after 1945
After 1945 Villa Wernera was taken over by FWP (the Workers' Holiday Fund). It operated as the "Jutrzenka" holiday home and was then leased for almost twenty years to the Eye Microsurgery Clinic "Wzrok" under the name OKO III.
The building – in a condition far removed from its original state – was purchased by Adriana and Sebastian Wasila. An extensive and costly renovation was carried out, restoring the former glory of the German-era villa.
In 2014 the property was extended. Since 2015 it has operated – enlarged by a swimming pool and conference centre – as Hotel *** Villa Wernera & SPA.