Belarus authorities set to destroy unique Brakau manor near Hrodna


Brakau manor built by the Haszkowski aristocratic family combines Poland’s Zakopane architectural style, the Belarusian tradition of building in wood and a baroque stairway.

“The house was built in 1920 by Władysław Haszkowski. Farm buildings were erected as well, there was a park. The locals remember even now that there were peacocks in the park,” historian Tatsiana Kasataya says.

However, in 1939, when the Soviet Army came to Western Belarus, both aristocracy and peacocks disappeared. Since then, the manor house was inhabited by several families. According to Hrodna-based historians, the house and the remains of the park could become a venue for cultural tourism. But now it is facing a threat of being ruined.

“In 2014, Hrodna historians together with Anton Astapovich from Minsk made an attempt to have it placed on the list of historical and cultural heritage. But the authorities refused to do it on the grounds that the estate is very poorly preserved. But we see that this is not true,” historian Alex Kayrys stressed.

The house is in good condition, it will be easy to restore it.”Of course, a few logs should be replaced, but in general, it is not a problem to save wood. For this purpose there are special substances in which wood is doused in order to protect it from humidity. After such treatement, wood can be preserved for many years,” he added.

But no restoration is planned – quite the contrary. The estate belongs to Skidelski agricultural complex, and its executives wand to expand the territory for a poultry farm.

According to the local residents, not long ago Polish investors came to appraise the current state of the manor, but their negotiations with the local authorities went nowhere.

Yaraslau Stseshyk, Belsat.eu

TWITTER