Wooden houses, once common in south-eastern Poland, are now a rarity. In the Jasło district, where wooden buildings of Galician origin predominated, few examples of the old building craftsmanship have survived. A special place among them is occupied by the House of the Poor in Dębowiec, known to locals as the “hospital”. This single-storey, timber-framed building has not only survived more than 150 years of history, but has been given a new lease of life thanks to its recent renovation.
The House of the Poor: from shelter to monument
The House of the Poor first appears in written sources as early as 1595, as part of the social facilities of the Dębowiec parish, serving as a poorhouse and hospital for the poor. The present building was probably built in 1876, as evidenced by an inscription carved on one of the structural beams. The building was built on a rectangular plan, with a characteristic hallway and four rooms. It was made using traditional log technique, with “dovetail” joints and clay sealing. The white-plastered front elevation and clay-plastered interiors still evoke the atmosphere of the old Galician countryside.
Renovation – saving authenticity
Although the House of the Poor in Dębowiec has survived in almost unchanged form since the 19th century, its technical condition deteriorated steadily over the decades. After the end of the Second World War it became the property of the municipality, but the lack of financial resources and a concrete idea for its further use caused the building to fall into disrepair. It was not until the 21st century that the first rescue steps were taken. In 2006, 2015 and 2018, the necessary preservation work was carried out, strengthening the structure of the foundations and tie beam walls to prevent further degradation. The breakthrough came with the implementation of a comprehensive renovation, which restored the building to its former glory and allowed its historical value to be fully exposed. The scope of work covered almost all key structural and architectural elements. The walls and wooden beam ceiling were strengthened, while maintaining traditional construction techniques. Special attention was given to the roof. The modern tin roofing was removed, restoring the original geometry and shingle finish, in keeping with the historic appearance of the building.
Care has also been taken with the foundations, which have been strengthened and partially reconstructed without disturbing the original layout of flat stones set on a deep joint. In the interior, the former layout of the rooms has been preserved, supplemented only by a modern sanitary room, essential for modern use. In the passage hallway, in accordance with conservation recommendations by Irena Zając, the ceiling above the attic was uncovered, exposing the former system of chimney flues, the so-called arcade chimney – a rare technical solution today, which testifies to the high level of former construction thought. As part of the work, the cookers were also rebuilt. The most important aim of the renovation was to preserve authenticity. All damaged or completely lost structural elements and finishing details were carefully reconstructed on the basis of scientific documentation and analogous examples. The traditional whitewashed façade was restored, the original method of joining the beams was recreated, and the whole work was guided by the idea of preserving the building’s unique character.
House of the Poor and historic chapel
An integral part of the House of the Poor is the late 18th century chapel, located on its front elevation. Inside is a wooden crucifix in the late Baroque style. The sculpture was professionally restored in 2018. The box chapel itself was probably created after the construction of the house and is today a valuable monument of religious folk art.
The new life of the “hospital”
Although the building no longer serves its original function as an asylum, it has retained its social significance. Thanks to the work carried out, it can today serve as a place for education, an exposition of local history and an example of care for material heritage. The preserved fire appliances, such as the kitchen cooker and chimney system, make it one of the few buildings of its kind in the region, providing an almost complete picture of the everyday life of the 19th-century inhabitants of Galicia. The renovation of the House of the Poor would not have been possible without financial support. The work was subsidised by the Government’s Programme for the Reconstruction of Historical Monuments, with the remainder of the funds provided by the Dębowiec Municipality.
Source: WUOZ in Przemyśl
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