Pegasus Stables. Conservation and Renovation of the Kubicki Stables in the Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw
On 18 October 2017, in the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Royal Łazienki Museumsigned an agreement for the financing of construction, renovation and conservationworksin the Kubicki Stables.
The project "Pegasus Stables.Conservation and Renovation of the Kubicki Stables in the Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw. Adaptation of the Building for Exhibition-Related and Educational Purposes and Implementation of Energy-Efficient Solutions" will be carried out as part of priority axis 8 – "Protection of Cultural Heritage and Development of Cultural Resources of the Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme 2014-2020". Its budget amounts to PLN 10,943,393.51,including EU funds – PLN7,104,734.46 and state budget – PLN 1, 776,183.61.
The project encompasses the construction, renovation, and conservation works to be carried out at the Kubicki Stables in 2019-2021 – the main and most valuable building of the so-called Łazienki Manor, consisting of historical buildings (including – alongside the stable – the coach house, the forge and the wash-house) related to the equestrian and military tradition of the Royal Łazienki. The works will lead to the reconstruction of the historical shape and arrangement of the Kubicki Stables, with the central segment rebuilt and the historical gate restored. The project includes an adaptation of the eastern wing for the purposes of an exhibition area, and the opening of a new permanent exhibition devoted to craft and technology, including equitation among other disciplines, with a display of carriages, which will form a foundation for implementing the new cultural and educational programme. The Kubicki Stables will be adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, and – as a result – available to all visitors.
The intended goal of the project is improvement of cultural and educational activities in the domain of culture, increased accessibility of the infrastructure, and a higher participation of the public in culture – through the development of the cultural and tourism-related potential of the Royal Łazienki Museum. Owing to its rich educational and cultural programme, the project will contribute to providing equal access to culture – also with regard to disadvantaged groups – as well as an increase in cultural competencies and creativity of the public.
As a result, the project will:
- Enable a wide range of consumers to participate in a high quality cultural and educational programme;
- Include disabled persons and those at risk of social exclusion in an interesting cultural and educational programme of the Museum;
- Broaden the capabilities to recognize, impart and fulfil cultural and educational needs and interests of the local community and the country’s residents;
- Expand the physical infrastructure for conducting high quality, innovative cultural and educational activities;
- Reduce social differences resulting from insufficient access to an attractive cultural and educational offer;
- Contribute to the local community integration and to building a social capital based on institutionalized cultural and educational activities;
- Support the protection of culture, tradition, and cultural heritage;
- Provide the Museum with possibilities for promotion domestically and abroad and contribute to a positive image of the Museum in society.
In order to ensure that projects co-financed by the European Union are implemented in an ethical, public and transparent manner, we wish to inform you that reports of possible irregularities and fraud may be communicated via e-mail at nadużycia.POIS@mr.gov.pl or through the electronic reporting system; an appropriate form is available at http://www.pois.gov.pl/strony/zglaszanie-nieprawidlowosci/.
CHRONOLOGY OF WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT AT THE KUBICKI STABLES
July 2021 – grand opening
On 30 July the Kubicki Stables are opened to the general public. Earlier, at a meeting with the media held on 17 July, a summary is given of the "Pegasus Stables" project, and the curators take the guests for a tour of the new permanent exhibitions for the first time. Photographs are also taken for a virtual tour of the Kubicki Stables which is made available on the Museum’s website.
June 2021 – the exhibition is complete
Conservation work on the historic Jacquard loom and punch card reader is completed. The objects regain their full mobility and are to be displayed in the east wing of the Kubicki Stables.
May 2021 – historic looms after conservation
The first of the Jacquard looms, belonging to the unique collection of the Royal Łazienki Museum, has already undergone conservation work. A ticket office and a museum store with souvenirs and publications on horsemanship are located in the main lobby of the Kubicki Stables.
April 2021 – preparation of the area around the Kubicki Stables
New benches and exotic trees in white-and-green pots appear near the building. The doors which were found during construction work have now been restored and are placed in the reception area of the Kubicki Stables. They originally connected the central part of the building with the stables in the west wing. The doors are furnished with decorative, historic fittings. The original paint layers are also clearly visible.
March 2021 – arrangement of the exhibition
Curators are working on the arrangement of permanent exhibitions at the Kubicki Stables. They have already completed the descriptions of the various exhibits, which are to be placed on special display boards.
February 2021 – transporting the exhibits
The museum’s exhibits are transported from the storage areas to the newly renovated Kubicki Stables where they are arranged in the exhibition rooms.
January 2021 – awaiting the exhibits
After completion of the renovation and conservation work, the Kubicki Stables await the museum’s exhibits, which are to be displayed in the permanent exhibitions.
December, 2020 – the completion of the acceptance procedure and the return of an important exhibit
At the end of November, the procedure connected with the acceptance of the Kubicki Stables was finalised. While on 10th December, the carriage of the legendary make Mylord, which regained its past gleam owing to conservation works, returned to the museum’s collection. This means that all the carriages that will be presented at the exhibition which is being prepared – both the so called museum exhibits and the deposited exhibits – are already in the Kubicki Stables.
November 2020 – work completion
The construction, repair and conservation work in the Kubicki Stables, started in 2019, has concluded. The main and most valuable facility of so called Łazienki Folwark has regained its nineteenth century lustre. At present, activities related to building acceptance and verification of as-built documentation are being conducted.
October 2020 – the final stage of works
Different teams are carrying out intensive finishing works in the Kubicki Stables. They are assembling window woodwork, mounting wooden and ceramic paving on floors, and are transforming the interior with new ceramic tiles. Furthermore, they are installing toilets, washbasins and other elements of bathroom fittings. Works are also being undertaken outside. The yard that used to be paved in the past is being laid with cobbles again. Based on the plans from the 19th century, during past centuries there were also three-span fences probably for tying horses, a drinker and a well. Additionally, in the centre of the yard there was a majestic tree.
September 2020 – work on the exhibition
The external sewage system of Stajnia Kubickiego is undergoing repair. Floors and gates are being installed in the building. Furthermore, work on the façade of the building is nearing completion. At the same time a new exhibition is being prepared. The historic stables and carriage houses will be equipped with carriages, harnesses, saddles, clothing and equestrian accessories for display as a permanent exhibition. This will be complemented by a collection of hunting weapons. The carriage house in the eastern wing will form a separate part of the exhibition, where Jacquard machines will be displayed, for example.
August 2020 - intense construction works
Construction works continue at the Kubicki Stables. The facade of the building is being painted and flashings installed. Inside the building the floor tiles are being laid. Moreover, wooden decorative elements and equipment for the Kubicki Stables were ordered. In addition, the side-hinged stable doors have been completed.
July 2020 - extension of the deadline for finishing works
Construction works on a variety of fronts are ongoing in Stajnie Kubickiego. Demolition works have been completed and currently plaster is being applied and internal installations set up. Gate manufacture has also been commissioned. The employees have completed the façade cleaning and most repair works. The building will soon be painted in a colour chosen by the restorers, which should be similar to the original. Due to the extension of the scope of works by the external sewage system renovation and other additional works, the deadline was extended until 30 October 2020.
June 2020 - internal finishing works
Finishing works have begun inside the stable and coach house. Despite the break caused by the coronavirus, installation works have already entered a decisive phase. In addition, a colour scheme for the exterior of the building was chosen and it is similar to the historic colours of the Kubicki Stable. Special holes were also prepared for the gates, which will be an ornament of the Kubicki Stable.
May 2020 - returning to work
After a short period with work put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, workers have now restarted work at the Kubicki Stables site. They are currently cleaning the façade and repairing the roof. Sample colours are applied to make sure that the colour of the building is as close to the original as possible. Holes have been drilled to install an antique door, which will be a part of the interior exhibition. Design documentation is now more specific, and includes selected finishing materials, bathroom suites, sanitary appliances and other items.
April 2020 - discoveries in the Kubicki Stables
Original but bricked up interior doors have been discovered in this building in the Kubicki Stables. They initially connected the central risalit with a stable located in the western wing. The doors have complete, decorative, historical fittings and clearly visible layers of paint. After their restoration, they will become a part of the interior exhibition. Removal of plaster from the walls proved the previous assumptions about the symmetrical design of the building. The discovery of built-up passages also demonstrate that there are the same number of doorways on each side of the main axis. Moreover, the original colouring of the interiors has been confirmed, which will allow restoration of the historical appearance of the stables.
March 2020 - continuation of work in the Kubicki Stables
In the underground storey of the Kubicki Stables, installations were distributed, new partition walls were constructed and plasterwork applied. Works were also carried out on the outside - the façade was cleaned using an ecological method of soda blasting. Heritage conservation supervision established the colours used for the façades and interiors. The studies, based on stratigraphic specimens, allow the best possible restoration of the historic colours for this 19th century building. Moreover, the selected elements include: type of ventilation unit, lamps, sanitary fittings, ceramic tiles and sanitary equipment. In the near future, the contractor will present a model window following restoration and installation of vents to prevent the windows from fogging up. The employees of the Royal Łazienki Museum and the members of the design team are working remotely. On March 16, a decision was made to close the construction site. The Kubicki Stables are closed and properly secured.
February 2020 - internal and external works
A new installation set-up began in the stable and coach house. Works related to pipe installation are ongoing. In addition, insulation work is completed. Employees also started examining the roof truss, i.e. the wooden skeleton of the Kubicki Stable roof that carries the load from the roofing to the construction of load-bearing walls.
January 2020 - the next month of works
Demolition works have begun in nearly 200-year-old Kubicki Stables. Due to a plan for complete replacement of the central heating system, dismantling works were carried out first, i.e. old pipes and radiators were removed. In addition, works related to replacement of the water and sewerage system began. In order to stabilise the building, the foundations of the central part of the Kubicki Stables were strengthened.
December 2019 - initial works on the Kubicki Stables
Renovation is underway at the Kubicki Stables, the most valuable of the buildings in the grange area of the Royal Łazienki, following completion of the earlier construction projects intended to strengthen the foundations and to deepen the basement in the central part of the building. This work was carried out to create modern toilet facilities for visitors and to level the ground floor to make it more accessible for people with physical disabilities. Additionally, information boards were set up concerning the "Pegasus Stables" project. The activities being undertaken within its framework are aimed at creating a new exhibition space in the Kubicki Stables and to make it accessible to all visitors.
Sources of project funding
