The Hunter’s Manor in Sztynort came very close to sharing the fate of other Masurian palaces and former estates, which fell into ruin after the Second World War and disappeared from the landscape of the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes’. The building was saved at the last minute. By then, a large part of the wooden structure had already collapsed. At the start of the 21st century, the remains were dismantled and moved to Gałków, some 80 km away, to rebuild the historic estate of the Lehndorff family. This would not have been possible without the immense dedication of Alexander Potocki.
The Hunting Lodge in Gałków – history
The history of the Hunter’s Manor has its origins in Sztynort, the former seat of the Lehndorff family. Since the 15th century, its history has been intertwined with that of East Prussia. In the vicinity of the estate stood the “Jägerhof” – a stately hunting lodge intended for guests arriving for hunts. It was frequented by representatives of the Prussian aristocracy, diplomats and participants in elite gatherings organised in Masuria. The building is also associated with Joachim von Ribbentrop, who, according to some accounts, visited there during the Second World War. Heinrich von Lehndorff, the head of the family, was involved in the preparations for the assassination attempt on Hitler on 20 July 1944. Following the failed attempt, he was arrested and executed by the Nazis. Another important figure was Marion Dönhoff, later editor of the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit” and a promoter of Polish-German dialogue. Today, the manor house in Gałków houses a memorial room dedicated to her life and work.
The historic building was almost lost
After 1945, the estate in Sztynort was abandoned and began to fall into ruin. The lack of an owner, years of neglect and underfunding left the Hunter’s Manor in a disastrous state. The roof was leaking, the wood was being destroyed by damp and fungi, and parts of the structure began to crumble. Over time, about a third of the entire building disappeared. According to local residents, some of the wooden elements were even used as firewood. Just when it seemed that yet another piece of Masurian history would vanish without a trace, Alexander Potocki stepped in. The entrepreneur had been involved with the Gałków area for years, having previously collaborated with, amongst others, Dr Andrzej Krzywiński on the Wild Animal Park in Kadzidłowo. He decided to save the crumbling manor house, but he wasn’t interested in a simple renovation. His plan was to move the entire historic building to a new location.
Each beam was given its own number
The relocation of the Hunting Manor began in 2004. Those involved in the project included the conservator Adam Żywiczyński and the architect Janina Bucholc. First, detailed documentation of the building was produced. Every beam, plank and roof tile was marked, enabling the building to be reconstructed piece by piece later on, like a giant jigsaw puzzle. The manor house was dismantled by hand, and the preserved parts were then transported to Gałków. There, a long-term reconstruction began, carried out in accordance with the building’s historical appearance. The missing sections were reconstructed using traditional carpentry techniques. Wood matching the original and ceramic roof tiles were used for this purpose. The immense effort paid off, as it was possible to reconstruct the building’s former Masurian-Prussian form, with high roofs, arcades and brick details on the foundations and chimneys.
The Gamekeeper’s Manor in Gałkowo and its second life
The work was completed with great success in 2007. The rebuilt Hunter’s Manor began operating under the name ‘Potocki Gałkowo’ as a restaurant and cultural venue. The building also houses guest rooms and the aforementioned Marion Dönhoff salon. The interiors have been decorated in a rustic style, featuring antiques, archival photographs, family heirlooms and materials relating to the history of former East Prussia. Today, the Hunter’s Manor serves a broader purpose than a typical hotel or restaurant. For many regionalists, it has become a symbol of the preservation of Masuria’s wooden heritage. Had it not been for Alexander Potocki and his decision to move the building from Sztynort to Gałkowo, it would likely have been lost to the mists of history.
Source: galkowo.pl, przystanekgalkowo.pl, krutynia.com.pl
Photos: galkowo.pl
Read also:Villas and mansions|Architecture in Poland|History|Renovation | Wood
