The wooden manor house in Dziadkowskie-Folwark, in the Podlasie region, has stood abandoned for a very long time, falling further into ruin with each passing year. This picturesque building, dating from 1921 and listed in the register of monuments of the Mazovia Province, was, as recently as 100 years ago, the bustling home of the estate’s owners and an important part of daily life for the local community.
The Manor House in Dziadkowskie-Folwark
The history of the village of Dziadkowskie dates back to the 16th century. At that time, the settlement was part of a larger estate complex associated with Woźniki. Over the following centuries, the estate was owned by prominent noble families. In the 17th century, the estate was in the hands of the Mleczek family; around 1730, it passed to the Woroniecki princes, and in the second half of the 19th century, it came into the possession of the Chrzanowski family. It is with this family that the estate’s final period of splendour is associated, as it remained in their possession until the interwar period.
Reconstruction after the First World War
The current building was constructed after the First World War. The earlier Renaissance-style mansion was burnt down by retreating Russian troops in 1915. A few years later, the estate’s owner decided to build a new residence. Zygmunt Chrzanowski built the manor house in a style reminiscent of traditional 19th-century Polish country estates. This was a deliberate architectural choice, emphasising the Dziadkowski family’s attachment to old traditions and the landed gentry’s heritage. The single-storey building with a habitable attic was constructed from pine logs set on a brick foundation. The structure was covered by a high hipped roof with a distinctive gable. Inside, there were six rooms with a total usable area of approximately 400 square metres. A small flight of stairs led to the main entrance, and the whole structure had very elegant proportions, typical of a classic Polish manor house.
The heart of village life in Podlasie
The Chrzanowski family estate was part of a larger, impressive manor complex. It comprised a landscaped park and numerous farm buildings, including a kitchen, granary, stables, cowshed, and four- and six-room cottages for the farm’s workers. For decades, the estate played an important role for local residents, serving as the centre of their economic and social life. During the occupation, the manor house served as a field hospital for Home Army soldiers. After the Second World War, the estate was confiscated and divided up as part of the agrarian reform. The manor house then ceased to function as a private residence, becoming a school for a time. Despite the change of use, the building was not abandoned, meaning it was looked after and prevented from falling into ruin. In 1966, when the school moved to a new building, the manor house was converted into offices for the Agricultural Production Cooperative. After a few years, however, funds ran out for the upkeep and maintenance of the historic building.
The manor house in Dziadkowskie-Folwark on the brink of ruin
Over time, the former Chrzanowski estate was abandoned and subsequently sold. It is now in private hands, falling into disrepair and awaiting rescue. Its condition is very poor, and the building requires immediate, comprehensive renovation. Only fragments of the former park remain, as do most of the farm buildings. Despite its progressive deterioration, the site continues to attract lovers of history and the former architecture of our native landed gentry. Unfortunately, without swift and decisive action, it may share the fate of many similar residences that have disappeared from the landscape of the Polish countryside.
Source: zabytek.pl
See also:Villas and mansions|Architecture in Poland|History|Renovation | Wood
