The transformation of historic and historical buildings in Poland is a subject that arouses much emotion. A large proportion of such investments are local government initiatives in municipalities, where aesthetics and the desire to protect heritage lose out to a shortage of finances and insufficient awareness on the part of the administrators. As a result of the actions of local authorities, historically and culturally valuable sites undergo uncontrolled transformations, losing all their valuable features, leading to the impoverishment of the regional landscape. This sad fate was shared by the former school in Chwałowice. It ceased to function in 2009 and today, after considerable reconstruction, its place is taken up by residential units.
The school in Chwałowice – history
The Public Elementary School in Chwałowice, a village located in Mazowieckie Voivodeship, Radom County, Iłża Municipality, was established in 1918 as a one-classroom primary school. Initially it was housed in a rented flat at Antoni Marek’s house in Podjedlanka. The dynamic development of education in the region led to the decision to build a new building. In 1925, the foundation stone was laid and the school was ceremonially opened just one year later. The event was attended by representatives of provincial and district authorities, as well as a large local community. Józef Mazur became the first head of the school. For decades, the primary school was a place of education for children from Chwałowice and the surrounding villages, including Małomierzyce, Jedlanka Stara and Nowa.
The architecture of the building
The school in Chwałowice was a brick, one-storey building with a usable attic. Its architecture was reminiscent of traditional village houses. The building had a rather simple body, varied by a multi-sloped roof covered with sheet metal. Dormer windows and wooden elements of the gables were characteristic, adding to the regional character of the building. On the main axis was the entrance accentuated by a small staircase and an arched lintel over a double door. On the sides, symmetrical rows of simple, classical windows were designed. The walls of the school were plastered and painted light, and the plinth was given a darker colour.
The school in Chwałowice in the 1960s/70s. The photos come from a collection saved by teacher Jan Czarnecki
The interior and functioning of the school
When the primary school was in operation, the ground floor housed four classrooms, two each to the left and right of the entrance. The central part of the building was a rectangular room used as a gymnasium, a recreation area during breaks (with a tennis table in the middle), a drive-in cinema, assemblies, discos, etc. The wooden staircase on the first floor was placed to the left of the entrance. The wooden staircase to the first floor was placed to the left of the entrance, between the classrooms. On the first floor there was one classroom, a flat for teachers and a loft. As late as the 1990s, the toilet functioned in a separate building.
Collapse and decision to close the school
After the political transformation in 1989, many villagers decided to migrate to the cities, which resulted in a significant decrease in the number of school-age children. As a result, the institution only provided education in grades I-III. Finally, by the decision of the Iłża Town and Commune Council, the Chwałowice Primary School ceased its activities on 1 September 2009. The building then fell into disrepair, remaining vacant for a decade. The building wore numerous losses in plaster and paint, but retained its original body and architectural details. The area around the property had become overgrown with grass and wild vegetation over time, but the presence of flowers and old trees was a reminder of the former aesthetics of the surroundings.
The former school in Chwałowice – reconstruction
In 2019, the former school underwent a major redevelopment as a result of a decision taken by the local government. As part of the project, which was completed in October 2020, the property was modernised and converted into a residential building. The results, however, leave a great deal to be desired. The original character of the almost 100-year-old building has been almost completely obliterated, and its appearance has been changed so radically that it is difficult to recognise that the building formerly served an educational function and presented any valuable architectural features. As part of the work, the entire attic was demolished, the interiors rebuilt, the shape of the window and door openings changed and the rear façade simplified. Practically only the perimeter walls remained of the picturesque building. The abandoned school was turned into a simple residential building with five units. For families in the area, it was an opportunity for a new life, but for others, a painful loss of a historic facility that had been the heart of the local community for decades.
The school in Chwałowice in 2012 and 2023. Rafał Terkner/photopolska.eu
Does renovation have to mean obliterating history?
The story of the former school in Chwalowice is one of many cases of inept redevelopment of former public buildings. Unfortunately, the original character of the building is lost in many such projects. Although modernisation and adaptation to new needs are sometimes a necessity, it is worth ensuring that the spirit of history carried by old buildings is not lost. Local authorities should fight to preserve the original local architecture and show greater sensitivity to aesthetics. This should appear to officials even if the building is not listed in the register of historic buildings.
We have written about this type of modernisation and similar projects on the portal on several occasions:
The school in 2012 and the ongoing redevelopment in 2019. Photo author: Rafał Terkner/photopolska.eu and Łukasz Smaga
The back of the building in 2012 and today. Photo author: Lukasz Smaga and Google Maps
