The manor house in Koszuty is one of the most beautiful treasures of Polish noble architecture from the 18th century. The monument, located 30 km from Poznań, is an excellent example of the late baroque alcove style, which combines the features of a defensive knight’s residence with the elegance of a manor house. Currently, its walls house the Museum of the Średzka Land “Dwór w Koszutach”, which invites visitors to learn about the history and culture of the Polish landed gentry. In 2017, the manor was included on the list of Monuments of History.
The history of Koszuty dates back to the Middle Ages, when the land belonged to the Leszczyc family, later the Koszutskis of the Leszczyc coat of arms. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the estate passed through the hands of various noble families. In the mid-18th century, the estate came into the hands of Józef Zablocki, the starost of Třebislav, who built the present manor house on the site of the older buildings.
The manor house in 1912. Photo: Polon Digital National Library
The manor remained in the hands of the Zablocki family until the mid-19th century, when Augustyn Zablocki sold it to Napoleon Rekowski. The building went through a particularly difficult period from 1941, when its last owners, Kazimierz Rekowski and Gabriela née Małachowska, were forced to leave the estate. For nearly two decades, the manor gradually deteriorated, first as a result of robbery by the German occupiers, and then after 1945, when it became the property of the State Treasury. Lack of proper care and improper use led to the degradation of both the building itself and the surrounding park.
The situation did not improve until the 1960s. The manor house was thoroughly renovated and served as a primary school for some time. In 1966 the building was handed over to the Museum of the Środa Land, which has been operating there ever since. Since then, extensive conservation work has been undertaken, both in the building itself and in the surrounding park, restoring the former noble seat to its original charm.
The front elevation of the building in the early 20th century and in 2008. Source: Mazovia Digital Library and Jan Koprowski, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The manor house in Koszuty was built around 1760 on a rectangular plan with characteristic corner alcoves. These small turrets, topped with hipped roofs in the form of spherical helmets, refer to the defensive traditions of Polish noble seats. The body of the building is one-storey, with a usable attic, covered with a high broken shingle roof. The walls of the residence were made in a skeleton construction, filled with clay and brick.
The front elevation of the mansion is decorated with a wooden porch and a triaxial projection with a wavy gable, which gives the building a romantic and picturesque character. On the rear side there is a semicircular risalit. The interior of the manor house has a two-bay layout, with a centrally located hallway and a spacious living room. The kitchen, originally located in the rear hall, and the numerous living rooms emphasise the functionality of this noble residence.
Initially, the area around the manor house was a regular garden. Over time, however, it was transformed into a picturesque English-style landscape park, which today adds to the charm of the entire estate. Although the outbuildings and the original courtyard of honour have mostly not survived to the present day, the manor has retained its authentic massing and interior layout.
The rear elevation of the manor house in 1911 and today. Source: “Wieś ilustrowana”, 7/1911 and Cognition by Touring
Today, the manor house in Koszuty serves as a museum whose permanent exhibition focuses on life in a Polish landed manor at the turn of the 20th century. The seven rooms recreate the atmosphere and appearance of the former residence, using historical furniture, textiles, paintings and handicraft elements. The clever positioning of the exhibits allows visitors to feel as if the former inhabitants are still here.
The manor house in Koszuty is not only an architectural monument, but also a bearer of historical and cultural memory. Preserved in almost unchanged form since the 18th century, it is a rare example of a noble seat that has survived the war and the vicissitudes of history. Thanks to the efforts of local authorities and enthusiasts, the building is today one of the most important points on the historical map of Wielkopolska, providing a living lesson on the traditions of the Polish landed gentry.
Source: Cognition by touring, koszuty.pl, regionwielkopolska.pl
Photos courtesy of Cognition by Visiting.
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