In 2009, the Association for the Protection of the Heritage "Młyn-Papiernia" bought a ruin of an 18th-century half-timbered manor house in the tiny village of Niepołcko. Our goal was to save and restore the building. During the process we became a part of a local community. We are discovering the rich tangible and intangible heritage of once flourishing village and making it a part of the community's contemporary life.

In 2009, the Association for the Protection of the Heritage "Młyn-Papiernia" bought a ruin of an 18th-century half-timbered manor house in the tiny village of Niepołcko. Behind the looming court, hidden in the depths of the overgrown courtyard, stretched a savage, swampy park. As architects, we were fascinated by the wooden structure of the building and we were drawn to its charm. Our intention was to secure and save the court. We operated supported by local authorities and conservation services, but the success of our project was very uncertain. The structure of the manor was heavily disturbed, we lacked experience, money and good craftsmen. We set off a bumpy road, not knowing what awaits us, but having a clear vision of the court to which life has returned. Now the manor house slowly regains its former appearance, it looks at the park and the court with new windows. Inhabitants of the village were interested in our activities, they offered us their help and friendship, thus we became part of the small rural community of Niepołcko, a village located in the picturesque valley of the Płonia River, in Western Pomerania, in Poland. While working on the renovation of the manor and examining its history, we learned to read the material signs of the past in the landscape: a foundation near a memorial stone – this is a trace of a village church, red sandstone slabs in a wooded valley slope – this is a trace of the former owners' tomb, stones in the river - here the mill was standing... Archival research, conversations with neighbours and visits of former inhabitants of Niepołcko complemented this picture with intangible traces of the rich heritage of the village. Before the eyes of our imagination, the Cistercian farm flourished, the wealthy Rittergut changed hands, the modern grange from the wilhelminian era was hosting artistic and intellectual bohemia. Niepołcko, during World War II, abandoned by former residents, sheltering refugees, a witness to their struggles and tragedies. Niepołcko, in which after the war new residents were settled, cut off from the family landscape, thrown by fate into foreign sides. We felt part of the history of this place. The consolidation of its tangible and intangible heritage has become very important to us. We would like to share this story with others and pass it on to our successors.

Unique cultural landscape of village Niepołcko was created by nature and past generations of inhabitants from different parts of Europe. Traces of pan-European events and influences can be found in a local heritage. Today local community is building its own identity as a part of a greater European community on the basis of shared values and shared heritage.