The orangery at the palace-park complex in Przeworsk is like new. The first stage of renovation, conservation and construction works, which lasted more than six months, resulted in the restoration of the proper technical and artistic-aesthetic parameters of the historic building, which had been out of use since the end of the 1980s and was gradually falling into ruin
The orangery can be dated on the basis of the inventory of the palace buildings to a few years before 1823. It is probable that the establishment of the orangery is connected with the activity of the Przeworsk’s owners, Henryk and Teresa Lubomirski, who tried to create a suitable setting for the palace residence out of the existing garden
The building today. Photo: Museum in Przeworsk
Originally, the orangery building had a more modest form, but during the 1828 reconstruction it acquired a rich stucco decoration. In 1856, the orangery underwent a renovation, during which new oak windows were inserted, replaced in the 20th century, this time with glazing fixed in a metal frame. The entrance on the west side was removed, leaving only the decorative lintel. The stucco decoration of the orangery had features of late classicism (round rosettes with motifs of antique female and male heads), with some neo-baroque elements (plastic decoration in the form of bunches of fruit and flowers). After the Second World War, a municipal palm house was set up there. The building also housed a kiosk, by the way bricking up one of the entrances. It was later abandoned and fell into disrepair. In the 1990s, a renovation of the building began, which was interrupted, leaving the orangery in an unfinished state
The orangery in the 1980s and today. Photo: Museum in Przeworsk
The orangery in the 1980s and today. Photo: Museum in Przeworsk
The orangery in the 1980s and today. Photo: Museum in Przeworsk
The orangery in the 1980s and today. Photo: Museum in Przeworsk
Restoration work began with the re-bricking of a section of the foundation wall near the basement, followed by vertical insulation along the entire perimeter of the building. The plaster work was preceded by a correction of the pilasters to bring them into line with the stucco that was dismantled in the 1990s. The stucco decoration was returned to the pilasters on the south elevation. The decorative portal above the main door in the east elevation was also restored. The wooden stucco under the eaves of the roof and on the attics was restored. The roofing, gutters and downpipes were replaced and the chimneys were plastered. New aluminium and wooden windows were inserted. The interior work included flooring and plastering. The main space was enhanced with concrete planters finished with sandstone slabs and arranged for a new function, which will be a café. The renovation project also included works in the park. Alleys were laid out and given a mineral surface typical of historic gardens and parks. The park was enriched with new benches modelled on a surviving archive photograph
Later this year, it is planned to start the second phase of work on the orangery, which will include the purchase of equipment, including plants, furniture and display cabinets, as well as the installation of monitoring and the necessary installations. A pond will also be restored in the park. The investment is scheduled to be completed in May 2024, while the opening of the orangery will take place on Museum Night 2024. The works were financed by the Polish Order programme in the amount of PLN 5,000,000 and by funds from the Przeworsk District, which provided PLN 586,219
Contractor of the works: Marek Kurpiel Carpentry and Construction Services,
stucco – Halszka Granek-Smarzewska,
alleys – 2LB Dariusz Błachuciak
Source: museum.przeworsk.pl
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