The Provincial Office for the Protection of Historical Monuments (WUOZ) in Ostrołęka has completed conservation and restoration work on three valuable tombstones in the parish cemetery in Szelków. The restored monuments, belonging to the Zieliński, Rzechowski and Gościmiński families, are of great historical significance for northern Mazovia. The Zieliński and Rzechowski families were particularly associated with the nearby Ciepielew, where in the 19th century they owned estates and manor houses, which unfortunately have not survived to the present day. Thanks to the work carried out, the tombstones remain a tangible testimony to their presence in the region.
Tombstones in Szelkowo – the tomb of the Gościmiński family before and after renovation. Photo: WUOZ, Branch Office in Ostrołęka
As part of the work, the conservators thoroughly cleaned the surfaces of the tombstones, filled in any defects that had appeared over the years, and renewed the original inscriptions located on the side panels and on the surface of the tombstone. In addition, on top of the Zieliński family tomb, the missing cross that formerly crowned the monument was reconstructed, and the stone urn standing on the gravestone of the Rzechowski family was repaired. Care was also taken of the surroundings of the monuments, which were sprinkled with small stones all around. The conservation process has made it possible to save these unique objects from further deterioration, preserving their historical and artistic character.
The tombstone of the Rzechowski family before and after restoration. Photo: WUOZ, Branch Office in Ostrołęka
Grave of the Zieliński family before and after renovation. Photo: WUOZ, Branch Office in Ostrołęka
The tombstones of the Zielińskis, Rzechowskis and Gościminskis are among the oldest in the Szelków cemetery. They are an important element of the region’s cultural heritage, commemorating important families who once shaped the cultural and socio-economic life of northern Mazovia. Thanks to the efforts of the WUOZ, these valuable historical monuments will survive for future generations, reminding them of the past of the region and its inhabitants.
Source and photos: WUOZ, Delegation in Ostrołęka
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