The heritage Ambassadors from Parseta River Basin

Interview by Annika Kiehn, June 2022

How a family matter transformed the brother-duo Bogdan and Zdzisław Andziak into manorial entrepreneurs

Sometimes, luck is being pushed on you. One could argue that luck is innately determined by chance, but I think that is only half true. You can explicitly look out for it and either find it or never find it. However, isn’t it the luckiest fork of all when it falls directly on your head and you have no need for it? This was the case of the Polish brothers/entrepreneurs Bogdan and Zdzisław Andziak when they found out that their eldest brother was partly owning a manor and on the verge of ruining himself financially. So they assumed ownership of the palace in Siemczyno in an effort to aid him in his unfortunate circumstances. Siemczyno Palace is located in the center of Western Pomerania in the Drawskie Lakeland, surrounded by countless lakes and forests.

The palace would mark the beginning of an expedition into their local manorial heritage, which hasn’t come to an end yet. For over 20 years, the brothers have constantly been developing the estate, overcoming obstacles and challenges to create a get-away-dream in the setting of historic scenery. And as if that was not enough, they continue with another needy, charming ruin called “Kozia Góra“ in the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. In the following interview, Bogdan and Zdzisław Andziak talk about their personal and historical achievements with both manors and what keeps them going.

Photographs by Henry’s Association in Siemczyno

We feel responsible for our heritage

First of all, please tell us a bit about you two.

We are entrepreneurs from West Pomerania (near Kołobrzeg [ger. Kolberg]) and have been operating continuously since 1990. We represent the first generations born after World War II in the lands of West Pomerania. And now, we are also positive ‘historical topics-freaks‘ who feel responsible for our heritage. Because, after all, these buildings, the work put into their reconstruction, and the association’s efforts are our legacy for future generations.

Why do you take an interest in manorial heritage? What was the initial situation, that made you buy one manor and then another?

We became the owners of the palace in Siemczyno by chance and necessity. Our eldest brother (Czesław) bought a quarter of the palace without verifying the mortgage charges. However, to help with its plight, as the palace had a large mortgage, we initiated legal proceedings to do away with the mortgage. During the activities, the other co-owners contacted us with a desire to resell their parts of the palace (at the beginning, there were four). After the legal preparation of the entire operation, we bought a quarter of the palace at a bailiff auction and the remaining two-fourths from private owners (1998/1999). Our eldest brother, Czesław, also decided to sell his part after two years. And thus, in 2001, we became the owners of the whole.

Owners of palace Siemczyno and Kozia Góra

Siemczyno was historically situated on the outskirts of Poland, at the meeting point of Brandenburg and Polish cultures. As a result, the story is both interesting and turbulent.

After earlier grants to the Templar Knights at the end of the 13th century, this region became the natural succession of the Knights Hospitaller Order at the beginning of the 15th century. But, while relations with the Templars in these lands were correct, they weren’t with the Knights Hospitaller. Therefore, the Polish King Wladyslaw Jagiello knew that the knights Hospitaller’s Order cooperated with the Teutonic Order and freely let the western knights to Malbork, which, before the famous Battle of Grunwald took place, came to the Teutonic Order for the so-called famous “reisen,” and so plundering expeditions “in God’s name” to Lithuania and Samogitia as pagan countries.

Since 1292, this area has been inhabited by the Golc family, an eminent family with a privilege from the King of Poland for merits for the kingdom, implying that its political importance in the region was great. For over 20 years, at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, the Golc family were the Drahim starosts.

This region has been the subject of frequent border disputes with Brandenburg. Among others, in the middle of the 16th century, the Brandenburgers contributed to the attack on Poland by Sweden as a result of their policy of allowing the Swedish troops to pass through Brandenburg Pomerania and allowing their citizens to be recruited into the Swedish army. The first village the Swedes saw after crossing the Polish border was Siemczyno, then Henrykowo (ger. Heinrichsdorf). As a result of this bloodiest of wars for the Republic of Poland, Poland had to agree to an alliance with Brandenburg in order to defeat the Swedes and hand over royal Prussia. (The Welaw-Bydgoszcz Treaties).

The first mentions of the construction of the palace date back to the beginning of the second 16th century, and the present main body was built between 1722 and 1726. Also, the present ground floor and a magnificent roof were rebuilt. In 1793, the Golc family sold the dominions to the von Arnim family, and construction of the guest wing began in 1796 and was completed by the end of the 18th century. On the other hand, the kitchen wing was built at the beginning of the 19th century by the last pre-war owners, the von Bredow family, who became the palace owners in 1907.

During the war, the palace temporarily served as a field hospital for the Soviet army, which resided there until the spring of 1946. Then it remained empty until 1950, being the subject of devastation and theft. After 1950, a primary school was organized there, which operated until 1986. Then, in 1990, it was sold to private owners who did nothing for almost a decade. We initiated the first renovation work in 1999.

A ruin with a future and a Palace with hotel and Museum

Importantly, all these historical facts existed in the literature, but only the activity of our association and friendly history enthusiasts, donors, as well as present-day members of the von Bredow family, former owners of the palace, made it possible to put them together and link them to Siemczyno.
What are your plans for the two houses? Which one worked out so far? Which did not, and why?

The plans for the palace in Siemczyno are a public goal. This plan has already been implemented halfway through. For instance, on renovated parts in the basements and the attics. Also, the Interactive Museum of Baroque and the Museum of Various Crafts were established. After the next renovations, the Museum of the Swedish Deluge will be located on the first floor, with exhibition rooms for artists from the Pomeranian region on the ground floor. So far, it has been impossible to raise funds for the renovation of the first floor of the palace in Siemczyno, despite the positive assessment of the application submitted to the Regional Operational Program of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. In Kozia Góra, we are starting the development of conservation documentation this year. As a result, we made a roof to protect against further devastation (we stopped further devastation). This will give rise to the possibility of directional renovation and modernization work.

What lessons did you learn during the restoration process?

The positive aspect is rediscovering the history of these places, while the negative is the length of official and administrative activities. The process of caring for such buildings teaches fundamentals such as patience, which is similar to raising children or building family compatibility. A very important element is the normalization of social relations at the level of villages and regions. Let us note that the activities of our association set an example for the local community that it is worth acting together for a purpose. This builds up a civil society. Many historical, cultural, and artistic associations with which we cooperate have started to operate in our immediate vicinity.

Regarding the activities of the Henrykowskie Association in Siemczyno for the reconstruction of the palace, the following are most important: clearly set goals and their consistent implementation; awareness of the long-term perspective; and patience and persistence. Such a project cannot be implemented in a year or even in five years.

What is the story about the Baroque museum?

The Baroque palace is the reason for the Baroque Interactive Museum. Analyzing the palaces from the Baroque period, we found that in these palaces, for obvious reasons, there were tailor’s workshops as the basic rooms of the court, but there was also a dressing room arranged as a separate salon, playrooms as a separate salon, a research office, a historical study, and even a theater. And when the palace had numerous investments, it was also the architect’s office. In turn, what could have happened in individual studios and salons in the Baroque period is a separate and interesting story. Therefore, according to historical analysis and our imagination, we recreated these studios and salons, which creates a unique presentation effect for visitors.

The Universalium of Various Crafts – it is a reference to the tradition of the Pomeranian village and the collection of artifacts from the group of old professions that, up until the end of the 20th century, were quite common in village landscapes, such as carpentry, boatbuilding, blacksmithing, net-making, weaving, pottery, etc. This collection, arranged chronologically, creates coherent exhibitions that testify to the hard work performed by the craftsmen of the time.

What is one of the most exciting founds of Kozia Góra?

It was an amazing surprise for us that until 1833, a Masonic lodge was located in Kozia Góra, and for its needs, it functioned at the beginning of the second half of the 19th century. A three-storey tower was added to the palace, decorated with towers and neo-Gothic flanks. Editorial amendment: Freemasonry (or Masonry, for short) is one of the world’s most historic membership organizations. It was found approximately 300 years ago and still is a worldwide fraternity of like-minded people.

What is your intention for tourists to experience at your places?

First of all, uniqueness. A unique encounter with history that is remembered and inspires the expansion of local and international history knowledge in these areas. And at the same time, building identity and respect for heritage.

What plans do you still have for your manors?

A public goal requires internal support. Because somewhere, you can see museums, community centers, and self-financing theaters. Therefore, it is necessary to look for opportunities for the commercial development of the remaining objects, which, in this case, constitute the former farm. Also, synergistic action gives additional opportunities both for the palace building intended for public purposes and for commercial buildings.

How do you perceive the development of the river basin region in terms of tourism in manors? Is it thriving or do you wish for many more activities?

There is still a lot to do in the context of tourism in our region. However, we are pleased to note that our region is becoming increasingly popular with tourists from Poland and abroad. This is important because, for many years, places such as Kozia Góra or Siemczyno were only “on the way” for tourists, who chose mainly coastal towns as their destination. As an association, we pay a lot of attention to promoting our region in newspapers, on the Internet, and on social media. But we are also lobbying for wider promotion with local and state authorities. And our activities are also echoed abroad, an example of which is today’s interview.

When it comes to young people, the younger generation runs away shortly after graduating from primary school in the rural environment. However, there are indications that young people are at least considering the possibility of building a future in the place where they were born and raised. And our association’s activities demonstrate these possibilities.

Explore the Manors of Parseta River Basin
Walk the Henrykowskie Trail – it begins at the Baroque palace, from which you go through the town of Siemczyno, according to the map and markings of boards on historical buildings.

The Pałac Siemczyno facility hosts many cyclical scientific conferences and once a month the Henrykowskie Cultural Meetings are held, during which local artists, craftsmen and creators present their works and talents. Admission to meetings is free.

The palace of Kozia Góra is still under construction and open to the public on special occasions. For more information also use the contact given on the website of Pałac Siemczyno