Residents oppose move to add Polish village to list of protected monuments

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A decision to designate a village as a protected monument has sparked fierce opposition from residents, who have vowed to “fight until the end” against measures they say will limit their ability to renovate and build on their properties. The village in question, Ostaszów in southwestern Poland’s Lower Silesia province, was established in 1936 by Nazi Germany as an agricultural settlement of around 42 farms. At the time, the region still belonged to Germany.

The Lower Silesian Provincial Conservator of Monuments argues Ostaszów has “unique, homogeneous historical architecture” requiring state protection, but local officials say that the way the decision was made, despite opposition from residents, shows “the voice of local communities has no significance”. After World War Two, most of Lower Silesia, including the village, became part of Poland. The village’s architecture has remained largely unchanged, with its residential buildings connected to barns, forming unique cohesive farmstead units.

Earlier this year, the residents were told proceedings had begun to add the village to the register of protected monuments, reports the Gazeta Wyborcza daily. The provincial conservator said on Friday it had reached a decision. “The unique, above-standard historical, scientific and artistic value of Ostaszów as a monument cannot be questioned,” it wrote in a statement.

It noted that a study by a team working under the culture ministry had found that the village was the only preserved settlement of its kind in Lower Silesia. “We have a years-long legal battle ahead of us, but we won’t give up. We believe that decisions about the 42 homes in Ostaszów should be made by their residents, not by harmful officials,” residents wrote in a statement quoted …