The founder of the building showed great care for the aesthetic values of the western part of the building, creating stylish elevations referring directly to the palace located nearby.

History

The village of Żyrowa, where the site in question is located, was mentioned already in 1280. It was not until 1644 that the first extension of the residence, owned by Melchior Ferdynand Gaschin, was mentioned. According to the information contained in the decision on the entry in the register of historic monuments, the living quarters were built in the second half of the 18th century, which is most likely associated with another large reconstruction of the palace, in 1781, when it was still in the possession of the Gaszyński family. However, archival sources and construction expertise date the building’s construction much later, in 1870. Considering this dating, it should be assumed that the then owner of the Żyrowa estate was an assessor of the Supreme Court, Edward Guradze, and it was during his time that the living quarters were built.

Description

The living quarters in question are located in the area of the former palace-park complex, situated in the northern part of Żyrowa. They were situated north of the palace, which is the economic base of the complex, in its north-western part.

The quarters were built of solid brick and limestone on an elongated rectangular floor plan, along an east-west axis. The building has two storeys, in the past also a usable attic. The body of the building was crowned with a high gable roof covered with tiles, in the slope of which there were dormers closed with a gable roof. The chimneys in this section were covered with form-fitting canopies, similar to those used on the dormer windows. The front elevation is nine-axis, with visible horizontal articulation in the form of a simple string course on the line of the ceilings and an encrusted under-eaves cornice. The sixth axis at the ground floor is marked by the main entrance to the building, leading directly to the living quarters at the second floor level. They were also accessible through a walled passage located on the south side, in the storage area. The simple surround of the main entrance is decorated with a cabochon motif, which is also present in the northern wing of the courtyard elevation of the palace. The remaining axes are marked by rectangular window openings, in a strip pattern, arranged similarly at the level of the upper storey. The northern and southern openings of the residential part are accented with frames, similar to the palace detail. There are also circular openings on the north elevation, ventilating the ground floor. The building has no basement.

The rear, south elevation consists of nine asymmetrically arranged axes. At the level of the lower storey, two entrances to the storerooms located on the side of the courtyard are visible. The remaining axes are marked by original openings, windows that are legible on the elevation of the building, and contemporary re-bricking. At the level of the upper storey, regularly arranged rectangular window openings are visible, which were framed by window surrounds with broken profiles. In their present form, they are visible only fragmentarily in the first few axes on the west side.

The richly designed western gable gave the building an individual character. It was embellished in the corners with bossages. Above the prominent cornice, at the level of the gable, rectangular window openings are located, which are flanked by pilasters supporting a simplified entablature. The whole is closed with a semi-circular pediment and volutes on the sides.

Author: Katarzyna Latocha, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Opole

Date: 27.06.2019

Bibliography

• Studium historyczno-architektoniczne zespołu pałacowego Żyrowa [Historical and Architectural Study of the Palace Complex in Żyrowa], compiled by Zofia Bandurska, PKZ Wrocław 1985, TOM. 1.
• Stolot F., Siedemnastowieczna architektura pałacu w Żyrowej, “Kwartalnik Opolski”, Vol. 1, 1963.