The Masovian Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments is investigating the case of the demolition of the manor house in Wyczółki. An internal audit conducted at the office showed that in the years 2017-2024 permits were issued for the demolition of buildings listed in the register of monuments.
The Masovian Provincial Monuments Conservator announced the audit on Friday on social media. The entry is a reaction to what outrages many monument lovers demolition of the manor house in Wyczółki, which took place a few days ago.
The building was demolished
“In response to numerous inquiries and comments, we regret to inform you that the building of the former manor house at ul. Łączyny 53 has been demolished. The inspection activities carried out confirmed that few elements of the original structure of the building and its finishing remained on the construction site,” wrote the Masovian conservator.
He noted that the possibility of demolishing the manor, assuming its eventual reconstruction, was included in the decision of June 24, 2022, issued by the then MWKZ. He added that at the same time – despite the conditions contained in the decision – the owner did not inform the monument protection authorities about the commencement of the demolition of the building and disposed of most of the original building substance of the manor without appropriate arrangements.
“At the moment, all work has been suspended and we will strive to issue an order to restore the building to its original form. At the same time, we are conducting legal analyzes regarding irregularities related to both the implementation of the issued permit and its construction itself in terms of exceeding the authority's powers,” he emphasized.
He informed that an internal audit conducted at the office showed that in the years 2017-2024 permits were issued for the demolition of buildings listed in the register of monuments, which is inconsistent with applicable law.
Only the foundations remain
The manor house dates back to the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. It was once surrounded by a park with sculptures, of which today only single plinths remain, or broken fragments lying on the ground. Unfortunately, it was completely demolished, only the foundations remained. It is not known where the remains of the historic building ended up.
In 2009, the office of the capital conservator of monuments began an inspection of the manor house. In 2012, an order was issued for its renovation, but the owner appealed against it. In 2014, the renovation order was issued again, and a year later enforcement proceedings were initiated. – In 2017, we were prepared to introduce a substitute investor, i.e. the city, from 2018 – said Michał Krasucki, the capital's conservator of monuments.
– There have even been attempts to reserve an appropriate amount in the budget of several hundred thousand. The city, as a substitute investor, would simply renovate the building and then burden the owner with the costs, he added.
From November 1, 2017, the Capital Conservator of Monuments, by decision of the Masovian Voivode, transferred its competences to the Mazovian Conservator of Monuments. The procedure that was to lead to the renovation of the manor had to start from the beginning.
In 2022, MWKZ issued a permit for the reconstruction of the manor, including its demolition and reconstruction using elements selected by conservation supervision. In March this year, MWKZ issued a security order with a deadline until the end of this year.
“Scandalous situation”
– Therefore, the investor simply demolished the manor in accordance with the decision. I don't understand how the conservator can issue a decision for demolition earlier and then for protection two years later. In my opinion, this is an abuse of authority, because consent cannot be given for the demolition of a registered monument and its reconstruction, because this can only happen after it has been deleted from the register. And it is removed from the register by the Minister of Culture – commented Krasucki.
He emphasized that this is a scandalous situation. – In 2018, we could have had a renovated, standing and secured manor house, which would perhaps wait for a more serious renovation or a new owner – he added.
The current Masovian Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments, Marcin Dawidowicz, also has doubts and said that the case files show “a bit of a split approach.” He said that attempts were made to persuade the investor to work, for example by receiving a subsidy for the preparation of technical documentation. He noted that these were probably fake actions, because in reality nothing had happened for years. Therefore, again in 2024, an order was issued to secure the building as it was.
– The scope of this permit raises some doubts. Theoretically, there is no formal possibility of demolishing objects entered in the register of monuments. So this is disturbing and still needs to be checked – emphasized Dawidowicz.
Ursynów councilors joined in the defense of the historic manor house. – Yesterday we issued an opinion on the preparation of a local spatial development plan. This area will be placed under conservation protection and I will request that the manor house be rebuilt in as much detail as possible – said councilor Paweł Lenarczyk.
From 1842, the Skarbek family owned the village of Wyczółek. The same one that owned Żelazowa Wola, where Fryderyk Chopin was born. Fryderyk Skarbek was his godfather. Until the outbreak of World War II, the manor complex belonged to the Berensewicz family. However, immediately after its end, the property was nationalized by Bierut's decree, and only in the 1990s did the heirs regain their lost property.
Main photo source: MWKZ