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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Poland Joseph Piłsudski's favorite hunting place - Palace in Lubstów , Poland

 

Palace in Lubstów ( on the road between Konin - Sompolno, Poland)

 



All that is required to call this place romantic are an old forest, a beautiful lake, an estuary of a nearby river, a tiny village, and a beautiful neoclassical palace.

The late Countess Maria Niemojewska, was a well-known person in the area. The artistically talented

also took care of the local education of the people.

She graduated from Oxford and knew 7th languages. Joseph Piłsudski often visited this place. It was one of his favorite hunting places, as it was for Edward Rydz-Śmigły, who according to locals legends was more interested in the countess than in  games. Some even talk about unmarried children. Maria Niemojewska died of starvation during the Second World War in Warsaw, where she was displaced. The family Gardyński that is working for her has been looking for her for a long time, but when Stanisław Gardynski and his wife Stanisława found her, it was too late, and they could just leave flowers on grave. In the post-war era palace was devastated through, the creation of a home here for the post-war homeless, a stray children's home, hotel, and at the end, a school. The building was never renovated during that time. It is now privately owned, and the new owner has returned it to its former glory and dignity. And, while I am not entirely in favor of selling monuments to private individuals, Big thanks  for those who actually buy such places to renovate and restore for the world, even if it is simply to be home. It was one of the most beautiful residences in Poland, which, in time, became the total mascaron of the best horror movie. The place was unlucky, although, after the regaining of independence, very important people met here and important decisions were made during these hunts.

 

 

International site about place: any, private property, on polish youtube short movie showing renovations)

 

 

Countess Maria Niemojewska, Józef Piłsudki and Edward Rydz-Śmigły.
( picture private family property)


 

Prague: ''The Musketeers'' series set. Strahov monastery and Loreto

The Strahov monastery

 

The Strahov monastery in Prague.  It is not surprising that the British chose this place as the set for the series "The Musketeers''. Strahov played in the church as well as palace interiors. The place is rarely visited by the tourist, through should be, because that interior is the last  baroque pearl of eastern Europe. Poland never adopted baroque ornaments as a style, instead emulating the sad Scandinavians... Beautiful library spaces such as the Theolofic and Philosophical Halls are national monuments in the Czech Republic. Today, Abbey has been transformed into the National Literature Memorial. Over 200 000 volumes are housed in the library, including 3 000 manuscripts and 1500 incunabula. The Evangelist of Strahov from Trier is the most valuable book. There is also an art gallery, one of the largest non-state galleries in Central Europe. The church was elevated to the status of minor basilica by Pope John Paul II. 

 

International  site about place: https://www.strahovskyklaster.cz/en/

 

Loreto Prague

Loreta (Loretto), a complex of baroque sacred buildings, refers to the Italian sanctuary of Loretto. This cult was very popular in the Baroque era in this part of the world. The copy of the figure is located on one of the buildings in the market on the street, Celetna monastery is on the opposite site from Strahov as well. Such temples modeled on the original Loretto were very popular in the Baroque era and were created in many countries. The carillon, made in Vienna, and the monstrance, blazoned with 6,222 diamonds and known as "the Sun of Prague," are two of the building's most notable features. This is one of the most expensive jewelry works in the world. It is said that the city protects and brings good fortune. It is not allowed to be photographed.





International page about place: http://stara.loreta.cz/en/index.htm

Copy of figure of Virgin Mary from Loretto- Celetna street

  
 


 



Poland, Royal castle in Kolo. Forgotten castle of Casimir the Great

 

Castle in Koło (150 kilometers from Poznań and a direct flight from Warsaw, Poland), formerly a royal castle built by Casimir the Great, Poland's most dignitary and powerful king.The king himself also stayed here, accepting even the members of the Lizard Union, which was a knight's fraternity. Casimir Jagiellonian was there after the Battle of Grunwald with the Teutonic Knights. The fortress was also visited by Zygmunt I Jagiellonian, a Renaissance-era Polish king and close friend of Sultan Suleyman Magnificent, with whom they had a friendly relationship thanks to Sultan Hurrem's Polish wife (Roxolane or Alessandra la Rossa), who ordered the country to import grain from Turkey during Poland's famine.The castle served important defensive functions, and its location on an island provides a beautiful view.

 

Today, it is a magnificent ruin, but it is also an object for which no one has a plan for how to use it. The biggest issue with tourism in Poland is that many people still regard it as the enemy and do not see it as a source of income, particularly in smaller towns. The destruction of the place continues, even with the inscriptions, from which we can learn, for example, who is meeting with whom; unfortunately, the castle has also become a garbage dump. It is very sad that the object is  forgotten. Still, because of its location on the island of the Warta River, it makes for a beautiful background, especially in the winter or during floods. With photo programs, captions can disappear. Unfortunately, it isn't Scotland or Ireland for castle ruins, sad.

International site about place : any
 
 

Poland: the cursed castle with two ghost and amazing wooden church

                       

Two forgotten monuments can be found in Wyszyna, a forgotten village near Konin about 100 kilometres from Poznan. The first is a beautifully preserved wooden church made of larch wood. The outside structure reminds me of the fantastic Moomins house. The church comes from the baroque period, which in Poland created a different style called ''sarmatian style''. It has nothing to do with the famous ancient nation, despite the fact that the people of the time claimed to be descended from them. In fact, they weren't.
 

 

 





 

 

Inside in the altar is a precious painting of the Virgin Mary with the Child from the XVII century, below which is the beautiful inscription "Ego Dormio, sed ma meum vigilat,"  "I am sleeping, but my heart is watching''This is a wonderful quote, referring both to parenthood, and the role of God. It can also be read, "Remember, do not sin, I always see''. The painting is famous for several healings and miracles. We should also look at  the richly decorated ceiling, organ, and sculpture. Wooden churches from that era are extremely rare monuments; most of them have vanished as a result of age, fires, and destruction.We should also look at the richly decorated ceiling, organ, and sculpture.

In a small chapel, we can see copies of the famous painting of the Holy Family by Kalisz. Poland's oldest city, known even to ancient Romans This is a famous painting of the Holy Family in Poland and is considered a unique painting of its kind. As in the original painting, the characters are covered in richly decorated dresses. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Not far from the church, we find the ruins of the castle. Grodziecki of Arms Dryja built a Renaissance castle. Although they are only ruins, their setting over a small lake is breathtaking, especially in the summer or winter. Lake Topiec was formed by damming the river Topiec.Feral fruit trees: remember that there was a garden here. All of this makes the scenery in the photos extremely vivid, creating a mood that ranges from romantic to terrifying. That place has a hidden story like that.

According to legend, the haunted ghost in the castle is the owner's daughter, who was murdered there. According to local legend, the daughter of the castle owner was accidentally shot during a feast in honour of the royal guest, Stephan Bathory (also the uncle of famous Elisabeth Bathory), and has since been wandering around the nearby forest, scorching local residents. 




                                  

Another descendant of the family was supposed to jump from the tower into the pond because of the loss of her beloved man. That woman was the last representative of the family Grodziecki, she married one very rich  nobleman, but love another one. We read in old book: "In love with a poor young man imprisoned by his rival, she agreed to give her hand and property to a hateful man in exchange for his beloved's life and freedom." However, the jealous husband, killed the young man, and made an armchair  from the skin of the young man.

He told his young wife to sit in this armchair and that he would "return her to the lover."

The young lady's heart could not accept it, and she descended from the Bastille to the pond that surrounded the castle.Since that time, her ghost has also begun to walk in the forest . Place by the time it was described as cursed.Some claim that you can still meet a ghost here, and by the way, this place has a lot of bad luck.

Stefan Batory, King of Poland and uncle of famous Ersabet Bathory, paid a visit to the castle.There was also Edward Raczynski, Poland's exiled president.The castle has been ruined since the 18th century.

The castle is in private, and according to the announcement, it is in danger of collapsing. Here also, someone has no idea that this place could revive a dead village thanks to tourism, and the owner will also bring in a good income.What in a normal country would bring this place to life will never be possible here. For the simple reason that people still don't understand that tourism can bring money. Better to work as a slave for a neighboring country.Perfect scenery for a movie.

 

                                         

 

 

International site about place: any