Functioning and Protection of Traditional XIX-Century Wooden Architecture in the Capital of South-Eastern Poland

Abstract

The south-eastern region of Poland is a culturally interesting area, where there are relatively many harmonious rural landscapes, with the open landscape (fields, tree stands) and the residential buildings consistent with the historical character. Podkarpackie villages, despite their interrupted construction patterns associated with the Second World War and the Communist-era Poland, still retain the traditional character thanks to the wooden housing, sacral and public buildings present in their structure. The research undertaken by the author (since 2015) makes us realize that wooden objects also exist in the Podkarpacie cities are threatened by strong investment pressure and lack of fixed construction patterns. The presented research focuses on Rzeszów city, the capital of the Podkarpackie province. The primary aim of the research was to determine the characteristic features and ways of functioning of 19th-century relics of wooden secular buildings in Rzeszów. The scope of the study included the analysis of documents registering historic objects of the region, including wooden objects. Field studies documenting wooden architecture in Rzeszów, which was created in the 19th century, were documented in the form of pictures and drawings. The collected materials were analysed in terms of preserved, original building materials, formal solutions and details. The transformations concerning the studied objects and their landscape context have been identified. The implemented activities show a significant saturation of the spatial structure of Rzeszów with historic wooden architecture. XIX-century buildings determine historical rural arrangements in the landscape of the developing city and document the construction traditions of the region. Construction with simple forms, generally devoid of decorative elements and details, presents regional patterns resulting from the then economic, cultural and natural conditions. The studied collection of Rzeszów wooden houses preserved in its original location does not contain objects valuable from the perspective of the monument conservator. These objects have largely undergone transformations and modernizations disturbing their original form. The conducted research allows to determine the manner of functioning of these buildings in a completely new cultural and spatial context. The author of the article tries to answer the following questions: How do traditional rural houses from the 19th century function in the contemporary “capital of innovation”? Is it worth taking steps to protect and study these objects?