The manor house in Skrzynki was built in 1871 for the German Iffland family. After the Second World War the estate was nationalised and over time the property fell into disrepair. Since the 1990s, the renovated building has been used as a training and leisure centre. In 2015, when the Poznań District took it over from the State Treasury, it required another renovation
In order for the 19th-century monument to regain its former glory, a thorough renovation was carried out under the watchful eye of a conservationist. Now, after two years of work, the building houses the Institute for the Documentation, Development and Promotion of Cultural and Culinary Heritage of the Poznan District, as well as a conference and training centre
The manor house in Skrzynki at present
The two-storey, eclectic manor house in Skrzynki near Poznań was built in the second half of the 19th century by the German Iffland family, who managed the local manor until 1945. Later, the estate was nationalised. The first post-war modernisation of the building was carried out between 1986 and 1990, and it then served as a training and recreation centre for the Regional Directorate of Public Roads, later for the General Directorate of National Roads and Motorways. Immediately after modernisation, it was entered in the register of monuments of the National Heritage Institute. Since 2015, the manor house has been owned by the Poviat of Poznań, which, with its own funds, comprehensively restored the building in accordance with the art of conservation. During the renovation, the façade was renewed, the roof was raised to create additional accommodation in the attic, the window frames, floors, doors were replaced, a terrace was added next to the restaurant and the kitchen was moved to the ground floor. The manor has been adapted for people with disabilities: there is a special platform outside at the entrance, a passenger lift inside and barrier-free toilets (also in one of the rooms). The building is equipped with modern systems: heating, fire protection and a key-card system for opening the rooms. The interiors are filled with classic and elegant furniture and decorations
The interior of the manor house in Skrzynki at present
Since 2022, the manor house has housed the headquarters of the Skrzynki Institute. It is a self-governing cultural institution that was established in 2021, while the manor itself has been adapted into a conference and training centre, where a Cultural and Culinary Heritage Centre of the Poznan District and a photography gallery also operate. The ground floor of the manor houses the Hall of Remembrance and Tradition, which presents an exhibition of photographs of the building from various periods and artefacts donated by descendants of the Ifflands. The statutory tasks of the Box Institute, including concerts, literary meetings, photography and graphic art exhibitions, film screenings (summer cinema and film discussion club) and other artistic events, are carried out in the building and in the adjacent park
The renovation and reconstruction of the manor house was awarded a prestigious distinction in the 27th edition of the ‘Modernisation of the Year and Construction of the 21st Century’ competition in the Manors and Palaces category
Source: instituteskrzynki.pl
Read also: Architecture | Renovation | City | Poznan | Architecture in Poland | Villas and residences
