The manor house of Janusz Szweycer in Ostrow, one of the most valuable monuments in the Łask district, has regained its former splendour thanks to the recently completed renovation. This impressive residence, built at the beginning of the 20th century according to the design of the eminent architect Romuald Gutt, is today a real architectural gem. Restored to its splendour, the manor has retained its original details and distinctive Polish style, combining eclectic form with historical elements. Thanks to a multi-million dollar investment supported by the Polish Order programme and the commitment of the local authorities, the place has gained a new function – the historic walls will now house a guesthouse, a restaurant and a memorial chamber where visitors will be able to learn about the history of the Szweycer family.
The mansion in Ostrow was built between 1917 and 1918 on the initiative of Janusz Szweycer, then owner of the estate, and designed by the eminent architect Romuald Gutt, author of the building of the Central Statistical Office in Warsaw. The residence, built on a rectangular plan, refers to the eclectic style and Polish architectural tradition. It is decorated at the front with a six-column porch, and the whole is covered by a characteristic broken roof. The decoration of the manor house was a sundial with the inscription “Horas non numero nisi serenas” (“I only count the hours of happiness”) and the inscription on the beam: “Those who frequent this house, who wish us well, may they themselves have”.
Since the manor house was taken over by the State Treasury and subsequently handed over to the county, it has changed its functions many times. Eventually, it served as a school for decades, which necessitated the adaptation of the interiors for educational purposes. Although the interiors have lost some of their former splendour, the external architecture of the building has remained almost unchanged. In 1989, the manor house was entered in the register of historical monuments, but it is only in recent years that real plans for a comprehensive renovation have emerged.
In 2022, thanks to the determination of starost Piotr Wolosz and the support of external funds, it became possible to start the long-awaited renovation. The work carried out by the VIK-BUD company from Łask, supervised by the conservation officer, included not only the renovation of the building, but also the development of the surroundings. The former St Lawrence chapel, which originally guarded the residents of the manor house and was later burnt down by the Germans in 1939, was reconstructed on the estate.
Szweycer Manor before and after restoration
During the interior renovation, stylish details were carefully restored, preparing the manor for cultural functions. Two period-styled conference and ball rooms were created, as well as a restaurant area. Hotel rooms were created on the first floor, opening up the possibility of developing local accommodation. One of starost Piotr Wołosz’s ideas is also to create a chamber of memory, dedicated to Janusz Szweycer and the history of the manor house.
Ostrów Manor is surrounded by a picturesque park designed by Franciszek Szanior, the creator of Skaryszewski Park in Warsaw. The park retains a diverse tree stand, numerous alleys and ponds, which create a unique microclimate. In the course of the work, the area has been tidied up, and the district is planning to build a new fence. The park attracts visitors with the beauty of its old trees, including two pedunculate oaks and a white chestnut tree, which are nature monuments.
The restoration work, completed in March 2024, was the first such comprehensive initiative in many decades to restore the manor house to its former glory.
Source: lask.com.pl
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Elevation | Metamorphosis | History | Villas and residences | Interesting facts
