Poland : President Edward Raczyński's residence in Rogalin

 

 

Rogalin is a place associated primarily with the Raczyński family. The most famous representative of the family is undoubtedly Edward Raczyński: polish pesident in exile.He was a well-known political activist not only for Poland, but also in the world. One of the last most talented politicians of that country.The magnificent palace estate is surrounded by a landscaped park, which is a nature reserve of old oaks. The oldest oaks in Greater Poland are here:Lech, Czech and Rus. Oaks have names after the legendary founders of the three Slavic nations and countries: Poland, Bohemia (Tschech) and Russia. In legends they were brothers. Trees have been brought here from all over the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To this day, each of the Presidents of Poland, plant here his tree. We should also visit

lovely neoclassical chapel. It is a replica of the roman temple which is located in Nimes. From that place the view axis of the whole assumption begins. A place is very interesting but vistors can ''meet '' problems...

 

 

Rogalin is a beautiful palace with park complex, although sometimes it feels like a tourist is not welcome here. First and foremost there's a problem with the organization of purchasing individual tickets. It can not be bought online early and the number of people who can come inside is limited. Finaly most often, when we arrive at the place we will hear that we are not going there. When it comes to the fact that the palace is open just in the summer very short time, unfortunetly it is more than certain. This thing really could work better. The situation rescue  views, and a very good restaurant on the other side of  road to the palace.
                                      

Edward Raczynski's oak

 

 

 



Oaks Lech, Czech , Rus

Nuremberg - burial place of Albrecht Durer and Veit Stoss, Johannisfriedhof

 

Nuremberg is a beautiful old medieval town, where we will not find traces of postwar destruction. This is the city of Durer, and his existence here is highlighted everywhere. Finally, this comes after Prague, the second imperial residence of famous emperor Karl IV, who is best known for his quest for alchemical gold.This city also has one monument that people rarely visit. It is:
- Johannisfriedhof - Old St. John's Cemetery.  

 

 

 It is one of the oldest cemeteries in the world. The first is in South America, the second is in Paris, and the third is the Johannisfriedhof in Nuremberg. It's a very old cemetery that dates back to medieval times, although burials were done here much earlier. Adam Kraft was buried here, as were two other world-famous cultural artists: Albrecht Dürer and Veit Stoss (who, contrary to popular opinion, was not a Pole but German )Tombstones never changed their style for centuries and are matched to the style of the first gravestones. The cemetery, which was founded around the 13th century, is used today as well . Only noble people of the city, such as artists, politicians, and noblemen, can be buried there.

 

People visit this place, especially for Durer and Stoss. Two artists who changed the face of art. One introduced the world to a renaissance. The other, with his contorted sculptures, inspired future mannerisms. The climate of this cemetery, however, is unique not only because of them, but in itself.

 

 

 

 

Albrecht Durer's grave*

*Albrecht Durer, if not for that man  and his rabbit, the people in the paintings to this day would be disproportionate, After studying and painting his rabbit, he began to reproduce the proportions of the body in the image as they are in reality. He discovered a novelty in art while traveling to Italy and wondered how it was accomplished. It was he who transferred this knowledge to other parts of Europe.

  

Veit Stoss's grave

 

 

** Veit Stoss - builder of famous wooden altars ex. Krakow , Nuremberg, Bamberg , Florence(destroyed, exist just Nuremberg and Krakow, Bamberg in part) . Giorgio Vasari called his art:
 '' miracle in wood''. Known as the precursor of baroque sculpture called '' late gothic -baroque''.In fact his contorted sculptures inspired future mannerism to baroque still was long way but it was the begining.







International site about place : any

Veit Stoss' s grave **



Prague the oldest bulding in the city, Rotunda svatého Kříže Menšího ,Rotunda of the Holy Cross aka Cyril and Methodius orthodox church

The earliest christian buildings in Europe we won't find many at the map, that's why for historician each is very important. Not many early christians buildings are rotunda in unchanged style of architecture. Rotunda of the Holy Cross is one of them, located on the quiet Konviktska street, among the apartments that can be place of rest for tourists, away from the hustle and bustle of the center is a forgotten monument.A small, simple structure with a glass dome with a lantern.This is a typical early christian building style , which existed before the romanesque style of architecture. The closest to the byzantine style of architecture.

Legends says that church is standing on the place where was a lake. On that pond where crucified girl who changed religion at Christianity against the will of her parents. For that she was killed. , as the sign of God, in the night storm ,the cross appeared, which towered over the pond. True or not in legend like always is little history. Durning the renovation of the rothunda, builder really found the cross. The first mention of the building comes from 1365 r, but the building has architectural features much older.Today its a orthodox church of Cyril and Methodius of Russian Orthodox church - Old Believers. This is a variation of Russian Orthodoxy, which can be compared to the Amish, they also live according to certain unchanged principles.

International site about place : any

Poland: palace of writer Henry Sienkiewicz in Oblęgorek, and the oldest european mountains Świętokrzyskie

 

 

Swietokrzyskie is one of the most beautiful regions of Poland, mostlyforgotten and unknown by foreigners tourist. It's sad, because here is one of the most amazing monuments that you will never see in another part of Poland. You can find something interesting in every corner. The oldest mountains in the world covered many interesting places: Sandomierz, Kazimierz Dolny, St. Anne's Mountain, and the natural amphitheatre.in Kielce-Kadzielnia (it's an amphitheater built on an existing valley with a cave entrance).
 Łysica (aka. Mountain of St. Catherine) was an ancient pagan temple; today there is a monastery. The shape of the mountain is similar to that of the American badlands; it is the highest mountain in Swietorzyskie, or Łysa Góra (aka Holy Cross, where witches are said to meet each year), and it is surrounded by beautiful palaces and monasteries. It was the only place in Poland where the Reformation was developing. Millions of years ago, there was the sea, and dinosaur footprints can be found to this day.
There are numerous palaces and historical figures' residences.

 

 

 

 

One of such places is Oblęgorek (near Kielce). 

It's the home of Henry Sienkiewicz, Poland's most famous writer and traveler. Although his historical novels occasionally blur historical truth, they remain popular even today. 

These books are read nicely. The most well-known is "Quo Vadis," for which the author received the Nobel Prize. It has many film adaptations as well as international ones. The most famous is still Klaus Maria Brandauer. 

The building at the time of its creation was considered very ugly because of the mixing of styles and finishing of the interior with used furniture purchased at a yard sale. Architectural styles could undoubtedly be debated over time. "This mascaron," as it was known, was one of my favourite writers' residences. Nowadays, it is a museum of writers. Palace was given to him on his writing anniversary. During his travels in America, he met people like Sitting Bull, about whom he wrote a short novel.

Old ash in Oblęgorek garden

                                           

 

Henryk Sienkiewcz liked this place very much; he wanted to stay here permanently. Here he lived until he emigrated to Switzerland. A novel, "In the Desert and in the Wilderness," has been created here. The book is about the rebellion of the Great Mahdi in Sudan. There are furniture, souvenirs, and manuscripts of books; old ashes in the garden add beautiful charm to that place. His great-grandson is a well-known politician today.

 

Oak Bartek - details .On the tree, also slowly grow other trees

A few kilometres further from Kielce and Oblęgorek is Bartków. We can find here one of the oldest trees in Poland, the Bartek oak. The old tree remembers most of the events in the history of the country since the beginning of its existence. Bartek is mostly already supported by a special metal structure that prevents the trees from falling over and is concrete-sealed in sensitive areas. Nevertheless, the tree sheds its leaves every year, and even recently, it has sprouted younger branches. Not so long ago, Bartek decided to give life to a new oak—in his boughs, of course.

 International site about place (Oblęgorek) :
 http://mnki.pl/sienkiewicz/eng/visitors/tickets_and_opening_hours

 

Bartek - details

Bartek - iron construction details

Poland: The castles over the Loire in Poland. Gołuchów- the first polish museum

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  Gołuchów, the first museum in Poland, is located near Kalisz.The oldest city in Poland, described by ancient Romans.Castles were built in the style of the Loire Valley castles.Both structures are miniature replicas of that castle, though the materials used to construct them differ.We will find extensive collections related to Polish history and culture here.Outlining, there is the only hunting and forestry museum in Poland.At the entrance of the building, we will be welcomed by the beautiful stained glass of  Saint Hubertus, the patron saint of hunters, dogs for hunting, and wild animals. Place was Poland's first museum.The castle was originally owned by the Leszczyski family.The family of Marie Leszczyńska, the wife  of French King Louis XV. Marie Leszczyńska was the daughter of Polish King Stanislaus Leszczyński, later he was the prince of Lorraine. Only the courtyard of the first castle has survived from those times. Later, the castle was owned by Czartoryski family , one of the most important nobleman families in Poland, also well known in France. They were the former owners of the famous Hotel Lambert. The castle was built in order to become  in the future, the residence of polish kings after the royal dynasty's restaurant. The complex is surrounded by a beautiful english-style garden with very old oaks. The trees are described, which is an additional attraction of the arboretum. From Gołuchów we can also visit Kalisz, ancient Calisia. The oldest city in Poland, as described by Claudius Ptolemy in his book Geography.A few meters away is the seat of the Polish Forest Inspectorate, and we can see a breeding farm of European bison and Polish ponies. Their descendants are making their way across Europe.This primitive and highly resistant breed of horse arrived in Bulgaria a few years ago.Polish ponies were supposed to be a reintroduction of the legendary tarpan, created as a result of crossbreeding wild horse breeds from all over Europe. Horses are ideal as natural meadow mowers.During the Izabela Czartoryska -Działyńska, the castles were given their final shape, and it was then decided that the outbuilding would be a residential building, and the main castle would serve as a representative and museum. This is how the first museum in Poland was established. The marriage of Izabela and Jan Działyński was very unsuccessful. The couple lived separately (Działyński resided in Kórnik) and did everything not to meet, even at official ceremonies. Izabela Czartoryska is buried in the chapel located in the complex. It cannot be visited. The facility is constantly evolving. The farm buildings were restored. A decent parking lot for tourists has been created. An interesting solution is also provided by the description of the trees in the park. It contains not only basic information about the species, but also historical anecdotes and legends. It is one of the few places where we can see mulberry flowers. Nearby the castle is very good restaurant called ''Zamkowa''.Things you could dream about in the past. Some people decided to open the hotel as well. There are also signposts to the castle and breeding farm in the village. Unfortunately, not to the town and castle on national roads, and it is known that on the frontiers of Europe, the best friend is still a paper map, and GPS can lead you out of the field. Still, those signs are too small or disappear at important crossroads. The whole site is crossed by the Ciemna River, which means '' Dark'', but in fact the creek isn't dark. 

 

        

 

 

 What could be changed. First of all, the opening hours of the castles. The facility is open until 16, and the last admission is one hour before. The funny thing is if you are 5 minutes late  nobody will let you in anymore because he won't let you in, but tours take  just 40 minutes for very slow visitors. Why? Well, after all, the facility works until 4 p.m., and it is obvious that no one cleans it sooner, museums are actually not cleaned every day, hence the need for that special staff. So why? It's mentality. If you let anyone in, you can still be at work and take cash for nothing, ok, maybe for drinking the coffee, or you can always leave earlier.''Closed on Monday" is the tradition of most post-communist countries. It is worth remembering that, apart from the capitals, most museums still follow this tradition. Less staff can then be hired, and the facility loses revenue. It doesn't interest anyone. 

I'll quote one tourist from Germany. ''They shut the door in my face 30 years ago when I was here. It's the same again today. I'm afraid I don't have another 30 years to visit the place. ''The tourism magic is over, but a little flexibility would be enough. In post-communist countries, the state wage benefits everyone. It is mediocre, doesn't select very intelligent people, and it will fall anyway even if you do nothing. It is certainly harmful for the place to be subordinate to Poznań, which is famous for thinking like Germans—never questioning regulations, be like a machine. They publish it, and you do it even if it means hanging others.

                                         

 

 

Separating the websites of the objects also does not help, but it shows the national mentality. Since some manage this facility, they have their own website, and we will not mention anything about the other castle. And conversely. This loses tourists who do not know that at least one castle is open, although the other is under renovation. 

 

 



                                    



 International site about place : https://mnp.art.pl/oddzialy/muzeum-zamek-w-goluchowie/

Castle with hunting exposition: ( just polish language/section of forestry gov) https://www.okl.lasy.gov.pl/muzeum-lesnictwa

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







 

 

 

''Polish wife'' of Napoleon Bonaparte- Marie Walewska d'Ornano grave and manor house , Kiernozia (Poland)

 

                                    

 

 

 

Marie Łączyńska-Walewska il II voto d'Ornano, this character is well known to anyone who has heard of  Napoleon Bonaparte and needn't to be introduce. Especially in Poland, Austria, or France, where his myth is still alive.
Marie Walewska, also known as Napoleon's Polish wife, was undoubtedly one of the most faithful women in his life and also the mother of his first son. Despite the fact that the Walewski and d'Ornano families have never boasted about the affair, the character continues to pique people's interest.

She was the only woman who visited Napoleon during his exile, just before his death.

To add to the history of the little spice, the daughter of Antonio Colonna Walewski ( Napoleon I Bonaparte's first son), was probably Napoleon III's child. The countess's marriage to Philip d'Ornano was brief but blissful.It was a marriage that was really made of love, which happened rarely in those times.

Today, the Ornano family owns one of the most expensive cosmetic companies, and one of the most popular polish cosmetics bears the name of the countess. 

 

 

　Few people realize that, while Countess Łączyńska was associated with Walewice, her grave and home, which Napoleons visited, are actually in a different location.It is a tiny village called Kiernozia, not far from Łowicz. This is the place where she was born.

We will find two forgotten monuments here. Unfortunately, we don't visit the house where Marie Walewski was born. Today, the manor house is privately converted into a wedding house and restaurant for weddings. It remains to enjoy the beautiful surrounding garden.Apparently, recently it has been a meeting house for the commune.

Kiernozia was once visited by Nicolaus Copernicus himself on a journey with his uncle Lucas Watzenrode, bishop of Warmia. Unfortunately, Copernicus had a pen fall into the well. The astronomer looked into the depths where the stars were reflected, and at that moment a revolutionary thought would occur to him: that the Earth revolves around the Sun, not vice versa. This is, of course, a legend like many about the legendary economist, lawyer, doctor and astronomer. Contrary to what can be heard on the street nowadays, he did not write poems.

 

In the local church there is the crypts of the Łączyński family, here is grave of Maria Walewska, the famous lover of the Napoleon Bonaparte. Wife of several years older Anastasios Walewski, protege of Fryderyk Chopin father . The second wife of general Philip d'Ornano was loved by him very much and sincerely, as evidenced by the fact that the general had escorted her body secretly to Poland so that she could rest in her native land after many wandering.  Her heart was buried with her husband in a grave at Pere Lachaise (Paris). The local priest doesn't have much money for  renovations, but we have to say that the crypt is well maintained, there's a paint of Marie Walewska and flowers also.Walewska had life which she could give to many people, she lived just 31 years. Died after born son to Philip d'Ornano.  


                  
 
 

The crypts of the Łączyński family can be found in the local church, as well as the grave of Marie Walewska, Napoleon Bonaparte's famous lover. Wife of several years older - Anastasios Walewski. Anastasios Walewski  was a protege of Fryderyk Chopin's father . Contrary to legend, the pianist did not meet Marie.General Philip d'Ornano's  loved her deeply and sincerely, as evidenced by the fact that the general secretly escorted her body to Poland so that she could rest in her native land after many wanderings. Her heart was buried with her husband in a grave at Pere Lachaise (Paris). The local priest doesn't have much money for  renovations, but we have to say that the crypt is well maintained, there's a painting of Marie Walewska and flowers, too. Walewski had a life that she could give to many people, she lived just 31 years. Philip d'Ornano's son died shortly after birth. No one knew she had kidney disease and she shouldn't be pregnant for the third time.
The repayment of the family's debts by Anastasios and Napoleon did little. The deceased's brother, a gambler, again incurred debts and lost his fortune. Since that moment Kiernozia hasn't had a good luck. 

     

 

International site about place: any 

 

 

 

 

Poland, Nieborów near Warsaw the baroque pearl of private residence in Poland, family Radziwiłł's palace

 

 

Nieborów, a small village near Warsaw with a palace, is on the way from the capital to Łowicz.It is a pearl of baroque architecture in Poland.The Radziwi family, one of the most powerful families in the country, owned it for many years.

In this part of the palace, there are separate guest rooms for the Creative Work Center. It's a hotel for

scientists, artists, and writers. The place was visited by Stanislaw August Poniatowski, the last king of Poland, Friedrich Wilhelm II; Christina of Sweden; Napoleon Bonaparte; and tsar Alexander I. Polish presidents continue to invite the heads of foreign countries here. The standard of finishing the blame can be compared only with the Łańcut residence. They are the only typically baroque residences in Poland. At the time, this country developed its own  architectural style, which was definitely colder and less ornamental.

 

　
  

                      

The staircase, which is completely decorated with azulejos, famous Spanish ceramic tiles presenting small paintings often describing legends or famous stories, makes the biggest impression on visitors. Second place is the Red Salon, where on the main wall is a portrait of Anna Orzelska, the illegitimate daughter of Augustus II Strong (Friedrich August in Saxony), king of Poland and lord of Saxony. She was the only illegitimate child of this mighty ruler whom he recognized. According to legend, he had over 300 of children. The beautiful library has 10,000 volumes and has been used as a film set for series and movies such as Don Matteo in Poland. In the UK known as Father Brown.

 

It was Orzelska who destroyed Frederick the Great, who never fell in love again after discovering that the woman he wanted to drop everything for was his father's loyal spy. Apparently, her spirit is walking around Nieborów with some man. Like all the women that Pesne painted.

.The globes which are located here came from Versailles. There's also one of the biggest colection of english furniture in Poland. Portraits was painted by the court painter of Marie Antoinette - famous Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun.Another famous inhabitant of the castle was Helena Radziwiłł, who created Arcadia. However, she was never buried in her unusual mausoleum.

  

   The most famous two sculptures are:

 

-the gift from  tsarina Catherine II - the head of Niobe. That sculpture became an inspiration for a few  polish writers, like Gałczyński.

- Statue of Acidia Kapitolina, Mark Vinicius' wife, who inspired the character in Henry Sienkiewicz's book Quo Vadis, Wroten; the author was awarded the Nobel Prize for that book, and it has been adapted into numerous films, including foreign ones.It's still his best-known book.

 

 

     

Near Nieborow there is Arcadia, a huge neo-classical  park in English sentimental style, with pseudo-romantic ruins, arbors, pavilions, and a very large place where it is possible to rest.

Both places are closed in the winter. On the opposite side of the palace is a very good restaurant, where Napoleon Bonaparte once dined.We can taste a lot of good dishes here. This place is really interesting.

international site about place : http://www.nieborow.art.pl/en/

 

 

 

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