Janapolio barokas : dvaro sodybos architektūra

Abstract

The article discusses the history and architecture of Janapolis estate which was not included into the academic "History of Lithuanian Architecture" and was not even listed into the register of cultural heritage during the Soviet period. The estate was established on the right bank of the Nevėžis in the 17th - 18th centuries (Anykščiai District, Traupis Circuit presently). It belonged to Upytė Pavietas in Trakai Voivode Province during the baroque period. Counts Frąckiewicz Radzimihski ruled the estate. The family was rich and influential in the Great Duchy of Lithuania. They had domains not only in Trakai but also in other voivode provinces. Janapolis was a large domain which took in a few villages and holdings. The Frąckiewich-Radziminski settled the farmstead and built a mansion there. Without doubt, it was a baroque-style residence. After the fall of the Lithuania-Poland State, a large number of debts were incurred. The estate was sold out to local noblemen in 1810. At the end of the 19th century, only the foundation of the build ing remained. Two buildings of the baroque period have remained in Janapolis. They are called differently - granaries, treasuries, pavilions, etc. They have identical octagonal volumes which are covered with curb roofs of broken form. The octagonal form could be related to the traditions of Christian art. On the other hand, the owners had probably chosen a form which had given solidity to the buildings (compare the Western Tower of Vilnius Upper Castle). High wooden sculptures of St. Michael and St. Florion decorated the roofs of the pavilions (rotted away completely at the beginning of the 20th century). There are fragments of polychrome paintings in the northwestern pavilion. Such paintings could have existed in the neighbouring building as well. There are circuit staircases which are set up within thick walls, leading to attics and cellars. Janapolis buildings are a unique property of the Lithuanian architectural heritage. They are the only baroque household buildings of estate farmstead type which have survived till the present day. The absolute majority of Lithuanian Baroque is represented by ecclesiastic buildings and palaces.