IWONA JESIONOWSKA (author of photographs)
ANNA CZEPIK (project organizer)

University of Warsaw,
Faculty of History, Institute of History,
Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28, 00-927 Warsaw
e-mail: zolwik.lata@wp.pl

Description popularizing the research project

A majestic silhouette of a palace is looming among ancient monumental trees. The tympanum is decorated with a coat of arms dated AD 18.6 but one character is gone. Warm glow is flowing from the inside through the windows. It seems as if chandeliers were lit and the inside was full of life bathed in the candle light. Yet there are no voices, no noise of hooves or wheels. The chandeliers themselves are missing as well. The deceiving shine comes from rays of the setting sun which enter the interior through the windows without panes and the roof without tiles. It is heart rending experience to recognize its past splendor. You can see where the chapel used to stand by the place of a long gone altar and a stoup in the vestibule. There used to be a vault there too. Now it is only a dark gaping hole in the floor. The little remaining decoration gives the feeling of what it looked like in the splendid past. It gives the sense of the countess's taste and reveals a truly gifted architect.
It shows a really European style, elegance and worldly air. Yet now only gusts of wind sweep the empty chambers.
Some of the residences had more luck. Noticed by historians and investors they have been renovated and started a new life as luxurious hotels, smart restaurants or museums. Other slowly go to ruin surrounded by parks running wild. The parks get new wild charm, but the residences will be gone if we let it happen. The photograph is just the beginning.

Abstract

Numerous castles and noble residences preserved to this day are testimonies of long and rich history of Lower Silesia. Abundance of historic monuments - much greater than in other regions of Poland - made it possible to carry out a broad course of architecture (including gothic and renaissance mural paintings and modern sculpture) since 13th to 19th century.
The aim of the project was popularization of knowledge about Lower Silesia among students of Institute of History of University of Warsaw and Institute of History of Art of University of Gdansk, to encourage them to run their own researches, to collect photographic documentation (used in scientific research and as promotional materials for both Universities). Integration among those two institutions and comparison different methods of work - of historians and of historians of art were also important.
During realization of the project we noticed the problem of many monuments becoming ruined - under bad influence of weather and lack of an owner. Places like Gosciszow, Rzasnik, Swierzawa and Stara Krasnica need to be renovate quickly. Otherwise, for next generations they might be only out-of-date information in a guidebook.