The 17th-century palace in Bychawa, in the Lublin region, stood for a mere 150 years. Its decline began following a tragic fire in 1880, and subsequent demolition work accelerated the whole process. To this day, only fragments of the walls remain of this magnificent residence. Their restoration has now been completed.
The Palace in Bychawa – its origins
The ruins in Podzamcze, Bychawa, serve as a reminder of several centuries of history of the local landowners. In 1537, Mikołaj Pilecki received permission from Sigismund the Old to build a castle. The two-storey residence, complete with cellars, was constructed from brick and white stone, and was defended by ponds and a moat. In 1649, the building was destroyed by Khmelnytsky’s Cossacks. Around 1730, a Baroque palace was erected on the site, featuring four corner bay windows, a raised central section and pilasters on the façades. Following the purchase of the estate by Count Karol Scypio de Campo in 1802, the residence was rebuilt in the Classical style.
Cracking walls and further demolitions
Problems with the palace had arisen long before it was abandoned. As early as 1780, court records described severely cracked walls in danger of collapsing. The designer, described as a German architect, is said to have left after receiving payment, leaving the construction under the supervision of a certain Kłącza. Subsequent renovations restored the residence to a usable condition, but a fire in 1880 marked the beginning of its decline. By the end of that decade, the palace was already abandoned. Building materials were subsequently salvaged from it, and extensive demolition took place between 1934 and 1935. The devastation continued even after the Second World War, when a large part of the park was cleared. In March 1967, the ruins were entered in the register of historic monuments.
The Palace in Bychawa and the rescue of its ruins
Work to save the decaying and rather neglected ruins began in June this year. It was carried out on the initiative of Marta Krzyżak, the mayor of Bychawa, in collaboration with the Lublin Provincial Conservator of Monuments. As part of the work, overgrown vegetation was cleared, cracks in the walls were repaired using the ‘stitching’ method, and missing bricks and mortar were replaced. Steel lintels were fitted in the window openings, whilst the upper edges of the walls and window sills were secured with mortar and metal flashings. The remains of the original décor required particular attention: the original cornice was conserved, and the preserved plasterwork was cleaned and protected. The entrance openings within the tower were fitted with decorative grilles. The works were completed a few days ago. They were officially accepted in the presence of representatives from the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments in Lublin.
Illumination and music amongst the ruins
Whilst the ruins were being conserved, their surroundings also underwent changes. The footpaths were repaired, and new paving for the site and parking areas was laid using geogrid. Benches, litter bins, a bicycle rack and a concrete piano with a musical function have been installed. Lighting to illuminate the ruins and CCTV have also been fitted. Archaeological supervision was carried out during the earthworks, and the courtyard was surveyed using ground-penetrating radar to check the stability of the ground beneath the future mobile stage. The restored monument is intended to serve residents and tourists as a place for walks and local events. In the longer term, the local council intends to create a viewing platform in the preserved tower.
Source: zamkomania.pl
See also:Historic monuments|History|Architecture in Poland|Interesting facts|whiteMAD on Instagram
