The military importance of Suwałki brought economic development to the town, and the barracks complexes located near the tallhouses set the directions of spatial development for many decades. The architectural expression of military constructions left its mark on the emerging public utility buildings and residential areas built at the time of the Russian Partition.

History of the structure

In the second half of the 19th century, the suburbs of Suwałki, where the barracks were located, were a huge construction site.   Around 1897, a complex was built along the road to Kalwaria. The barracks at Pulaski in Suwałki were occupied by the 2nd Lejb-Dragoński Pskowski Regiment of the Empress Maria Fiodorowna The designers of the barracks in Suwałki are unknown, probably plans and general designs were made in Vilnius, to which the area of the Suwałki Governorate was subordinated. To meet the needs, not only staff and residential buildings were erected, but also casinos, sick rooms, warehouses (for uniforms, weapons, forage, provisions), stables, coach houses, kitchens and canteens, repair workshops (saddlers, shoemakers, tailors, gunsmiths).   Prominent places were occupied by garrison religious buildings (Orthodox churches, later churches and chapels). During World War I, the barracks were taken over by German troops, who caused a lot of destruction. In 1919, the military complexes were seized by the Polish Army. Another war wreaked great havoc again. After World War II, the barracks complexes were taken over by the Polish Army, and after 1989, they were partially communalised. Some of the buildings remain in the hands of private owners, some of the valuable objects have not survived to our times. One of the few indoor riding arenas was pulled down at the end of the 20th century. Most of the buildings are used for residential purposes, but new functions are systematically introduced to the former barracks.

Description of the structure

The barracks complex is located in the northern part of Suwałki, covers a rectangular area encircled by the following streets: Pułaskiego, Świerkową, Modrzewiową and Gen. Z. Podhorskiego.

The barracks complex at Pulaskiego Street was built in the so-called governmental style. It is distinguished by monumental elevations cladded with yellow or red brick, divided with the use of classic elements (pilasters, entablature) The building blocks are enlivened by the corner and central avant-corps, emphasized by plastic gables.   This type of building structures became  later a model for residential and public utility buildings, widely spread across the former Russian partition.

Irregular, scattered composition, disturbed by contemporary additions.   Among other buildings located parallel to Pułaskiego Street, staff buildings, casino, and residential buildings were restructured. In the next rows, are residential and farm buildings. Along Świerkowa and Podhorskiego streets, there were stables and other utility buildings, in the central part of the complex there was an exercise yard. An interesting structure in the complex is the former regimental chapel, nowadays the church of Christ the King, with the partially preserved original decoration of the chancel - a representation of Christ Blessing and God the Father. It is located in one of the residential buildings.

Visitor access: The historic monument can be viewed from outside.

Author of the note: Grażyna Rogala, 23 December 2014

Bibliography

• Górska I., Architektura militarna, [in:] Perły architektury województwa podlaskiego, Białystok-Bydgoszcz 2010, pp. 121-122.
• Skłodowski K., Suwalskie koszary, “Jatwieź” No 8, 1999, pp. 32-36.
• Suwałki miasto nad Czarną Hańczą, J. Kopciał, Suwałki 2005, pp. 844-845.