The historic manor house in Kaski, a village located in the municipality of Baranów, is gradually regaining its former splendour. The second stage of renovation and conservation work has just been completed, including the renovation of the façade and the restoration of the interior plasterwork. The project was carried out thanks to a grant from the Mazovian Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments. One hundred thousand zlotys was granted by the Sejmik of the Mazovian Voivodeship, and the funds went to the municipality of Baranów through the Logart Foundation, which has been taking care of this unique building for years.
Manor house in Kaski of classical origin
The manor house in Kaski is an excellent example of classicist landowner architecture from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. It was probably built for the Szymanowski family on the site of an older wooden building, which, according to sources, still existed in 1760. Although we do not know the name of its designer, the form and composition testify to the talent and experience of the architect. The single-storey building is covered with a hipped roof. On the axis of the façade is a column portico supported by two pairs of Tuscan semi-columns, topped with a classical triangular pediment. The garden façade features a semicircular lounge risalit, while the corners of the building are accentuated with full-plastic columns that add lightness to the whole mass. The layout of the interior – with a hallway and lounge set at the intersection of the axes – is characteristic of landed gentry residences and shows the influence of palace architecture. This type of composition prevailed in the Polish countryside until World War II and was a testimony to the aesthetic aspirations of the owners of the time.
Owners and history of the estate
Kaski is first mentioned in the 17th century. At that time the village probably belonged to the Siesicki family. From the 18th century until the end of the 19th century, the estate was in the hands of the Szymanowski family, including Franciszek Szymanowski, who served as starost and regent of the Crown. In 1880 Kaski passed into the hands of the Potocki family, then the Bacciarelli family, and from 1900 it belonged to the Szymanski family. In the 1920s the owner was Franciszek Szymański, and the entire estate then covered 194 hectares. At the same time there was also a smaller, 60-hectare property in Kaski, managed by Hieronim Niedziński.
Post-war history and a new opening
After the Second World War, the manor house was transformed into a public building. For many years it housed a primary school, and in the 1960s it also housed a village clubhouse, which was the venue for popular dances for the local youth. Local residents’ memories tell of dance evenings that were attended on bicycles, crossing the nearby fields. In the 1990s, the building was abandoned and passed into private hands. In 1959, the manor was entered in the register of historical monuments, but this status did not protect the building from partial ruin.
Manor house in Kaski – work continues
The current conservation work is another step towards the full restoration of this valuable landowner’s residence. Although the second stage of the renovation has come to an end, further work is planned to fully restore the Kaski Manor House to its historical character and significance.
Source: Mazovian Voivodeship Historic Preservation Officer, dipp.info.pl
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Elevation | Metamorphosis | History | Villas and residences | Interesting facts
Manor house in Kaski in 2010 and 2025. Photo: Jakub Korwin-Szymanowski and WUOZ in Warsaw
