Articles --> Ziemia Kwidzyńska

Small architecture

Small architecture is understood as fences, gates, cellars, wells within the boundaries of homesteads. In case of homesteads of Olęders (the Dutch), studies this respect are most difficult. Unfortunately, no original elements have been preserved till today.
The only exception in this respect is the place calle Okrągła Łąka, in which the wicker industry traditions maintained till today have caused the existence of stick fences (il.74). Basket fences were known, as well (il. 75)⁹¹. The iconography of the beginning of the 20th century informs us about a relatively popular pale fences. They were erected in the most representative places, i.e. on the side facing the road and at flower and vegetable gardens. Fences of this type, except that pales were in the form of long planks fixed horizontally to posts, were also built on the side of the field and yard (il. 23). At the beginning of the 20th century, a metal net hung on posts was very popular (il. 26, 76). In that period, also forged gates and wickets were used.
Cranes, which were a rarity in the period between the two world wars, existed in this area (il. 77)⁹². Wells were situated within the boundaries of homesteads, close to the residential part (il. 9). Later, water pumps were installed, also in cowsheds (il. 78).
Also cellars were an element of a homestead. In most cases, the residential part had cellars underneath, which has already been mentioned. Free standing cellars were built as tie beam structures, on which perches were laid, which created the roof slope⁹³. They were dug into earth to the depth of 1- 2 m. (il. 79)
Elements of small architecture also include shaleters for herdsmen, which were built on wheels or runners (il.80). They were also used in peasnts' farms⁹⁴.

⁹¹ An iconography of a basket fence in a Dutch homestead can be seen in the ethnographic exhibition in the Museum in Kwidzyn.
⁹² W. Łęga, op. cit., s. 42.
⁹³ There also happened solutions with a wooden plough structure. Ibidem, s. 41.
⁹⁴ Ibidem, s. 42.