Skansen (open-air museum) in Kłóbka

The Skansen in Kłóbka is an open-air museum located in the central region of Poland, approximately 6 kilometers from the junction of motorway A1, near the trunk road 91. Situated amidst hills, forests, and lakes, it is often referred to as "The Pearl of Kujawy." This branch of the Museum of the Kuyavian and Dobrzyń Lands in Włocławek was established in 1993 and features over a dozen rural architectural structures, some dating back to the 18th century.

The museum encompasses both sides of the Lubieńki river valley and includes the former village, park, and manor complex once owned by the Orpiszewski family. The manor house, dating from the mid-19th century, holds significance as the residence of Maria Wodzinska, who was the official fiancée of Fryderyk Chopin. The interior of the manor house showcases the ambiance of the old residence, as well as exhibits related to the life and work of Maria Wodzinska.

Spanning an area of 13 hectares, the Skansen in Kłóbka features 18 objects of folk architecture gathered in two sectors: Kujawsko Land (two farms) and Dobrzyń Land (one farm). These wooden buildings, complete with interior furnishings, traditional objects, and tools, offer a glimpse into the daily lives of peasant families from the late 18th century to the 1930s. The museum also includes reconstructed old craft workshops such as a forge, oil mill with pottery, and windmill. Additionally, there is an old inn, school building, fire station, various types of fences, wells, hives, dugouts, roadside shrines, as well as yards adorned with traditional flower varieties, farmlands, orchards, and domestic and farm animals.

The open-air museum hosts annual folk festivals on the last Sunday of June, the first Sunday of August, and the second Sunday of September. These festivals revive traditional workshops and showcase forgotten activities. Folk music sets the rhythm for regional dances, and thematic performances illustrate old customs and solemnities, adding to the unique atmosphere of the museum.

RURAL SECTOR
1. Carport for agricultural machinery
2. Pottery
3. Zagroda Kujawska
4. Chapel with St. Antonym
5. Homestead Kujawska from Zalesie
6. Forge from Chełmiec
7. Windmill from Zaduszniki
8. School
9. Tavern from Wielki Pulkovo
10. Dobrzyn farm
11. A chapel with the Virgin of Skępe
12. Fire station
24. Church from Brzeźno

THE COURT AND PARK SECTOR
13. The Orpiszewski Manor
14. "Lipa Maria"
15. Świerki Ludwik Orpiszewski
16. Hornbeam alley of "Grandma's Little"
17. Orchard of native fruit trees
18. Ash Avenue of "Grandma's Big"
19. Lookout under purple beech
20. Circle of chestnuts "Green office"
21. Insurgent's oak
22. Ash and alder forest
23. Alder alley

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Poland Travel: Świecie Castle

Świecie Castle is a Teutonic castle built between 1335 and 1350. It is located in Świecie, Poland, and is part of a complex constructed by the Teutonic Knights in the Gothic architectural style. The castle is situated on a partially artificial embankment for protection against floods, offering a picturesque view from the bank of the Vistula and Wda rivers. It includes a circular tower with merlons.

The castle is currently a museum, with the tower and castle undergoing renovations. In 2019, the castle was unfortunately targeted by unknown perpetrators who stole bricks, resulting in severe damage to the 14th-century defensive wall.

Built on a square plan with a side measuring approximately 51 meters, the castle had an entrance gate located in the western curtain, connected to the outer ward by a bridge over the moat. It consisted of two perpendicular wings. The main wing, situated parallel to the Wda stream, was about 13 meters wide, had a basement, and encompassed three floors. Within it, there was a chapel and a chapter house or refectory. The courtyard, measuring 26 x 26 meters, was surrounded by cloisters. The castle was enclosed by a perimeter wall with four cylindrical towers at the corners. The tallest tower, with a diameter of 10 meters and a height of 34 meters, featured battlements and is currently inclined from the vertical by 106 centimeters, making it the most leaning tower in Poland accessible to tourists. The strategic location of the castle allowed it to control traffic on the Vistula River.

The castle was constructed by the Teutonic Order in the 14th century under the initiative of Günter von Hohenstein. It was built in a new location, separate from Prince Świętopełk II's stronghold, which likely existed within the outer ward. The castle was surrounded by defensive walls and a moat, comprising a two-part complex consisting of a convent house enclosed by a scarp and an outer bailey. The castle's access from the west was guarded by a fortified city. It was the only water castle in the Teutonic State. Although the foundations suggest plans for a four-wing castle, only two wings were completed. Notably, the castle featured four cylindrical towers in its corners. It served as the seat of commanders in 1410 and was briefly under Polish control during the Thirteen Years' War. From 1508 to 1772, it functioned as the seat of Polish royal starostes. In the second half of the 16th century, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style by Jerzy Konopacki, the Chełmno castellan.

The castle suffered significant damage during the Swedish wars in the 17th century and was not rebuilt. Subsequently, it was partly demolished by Prussian authorities after 1772. In 1859, efforts began to protect the ruin, and a partial reconstruction took place after World War II. The castle ruins are open to the public, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the tower and basements. In the past, the castle was also used by various organizations for sports activities. During the interwar period, the ruins were managed by the Waterways Department and later by the German Water Inspection. Despite attempts to preserve the castle, surrounding walls deteriorated over time and were subject to vandalism.

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Poland Travel: Radzyń Chełmiński Castle

The castle is located is in Radzyń Chełmiński, Poland. It was built in the Gothic style and has a square formation. The castle served as the seat of the Teutonic Knights' Commandry and is situated near Castle Lake (Jezioro Zamkowe), north of the town. Unfortunately, the castle is now partially in ruins.

Constructed in the thirteenth century, it is one of the oldest castles built by the Teutonic Knights. In 1446, the castle came under Polish control. During the wars with the Swedes in 1628, the castle suffered significant damage and gradually fell into ruin. The tower, which bears the marks of artillery fire, is still visible today. In 1780, the Prussian authorities ordered the deconstruction of the remaining castle structures. The bricks from the three wings were used to construct houses for the local community. However, the deconstruction process was halted towards the end of the nineteenth century, and plans for the castle's reconstruction were initiated by Konrad Steinbrecht. The castle ruins were opened to the public at the end of the twentieth century.

Currently, the partially preserved southern wing includes the chapel (without the vault), almost full-height facades, two corner turrets, a portion of the eastern wing, and parts of the remaining wing walls and basements. The lower parts of the southern and western walls of the outer bailey have survived almost entirely. Visitors can explore the castle ruins, including entry into both corner towers, which provide a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The basements house exhibitions featuring models of medieval buildings and torture tools.

The castle was initially built with a square plan, featuring a high castle, a two-story cloistered courtyard, a large free-standing octagonal tower (bergfried) in the northwest corner, and smaller quadrilateral towers in each corner. The southern wing boasted decorative gables, an entrance gate, a refectory with a star-shaped vault, and a church. The east wing housed the chapter house and dormitory. To the south of the castle stood a trapezoidal outer ward surrounded by a perimeter wall, while the second ward was potentially situated east of the high castle.

The construction of the castle began in 1234, replacing an earlier wooden fortification. It served as a defense during the first Prussian uprising from 1242 to 1249. The wooden structure was replaced by a brick one between 1270 and 1285. However, the Prussians captured the unfinished second stronghold in 1278. Some remnants of this phase remain today, such as scab walls, basements under the chapel, and the outer ward. From 1310 to 1330, the castle was reconstructed into its well-known four-sided form, complete with a corner tower known as the Bergfried. It is believed that the same architect who designed Gniew Castle and the presbyterial church of St. Jakub in Toruń was involved in the castle's design. During this period, it was one of the strongest castles on the southern borders of Prussia. It became the seat of the commandry in 1251.

After the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, the castle was captured by the Polish army but was later returned to the Teutonic Knights following the first peace treaty of Toruń in 1411. Following the Thirteen Years' War, the castle became part of Royal Prussia and served as the seat of Polish starosts from 1454. During the Polish-Swedish War in 1628, it suffered severe damage during a Swedish siege and was subsequently abandoned.

After the First Partition of Poland in 1772, the castle was gradually dismantled by Prussianauthorities. The acquired building materials were used to construct many houses in Radzyń. However, in 1837, due to protests, the demolition was halted, and two years later, security works began to preserve the ruins. Conservation efforts continued throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In 1989, the perimeter wall of the foregate was discovered, further adding to the historical significance of the castle.

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Poland Travel: Golub-Dobrzyń Castle

Golub Castle is a four-wing conventual Teutonic castle built in the 13th/14th century. It was constructed on a hill to overlook the entire town of Golub-Dobrzyń. The castle was initially built in a brick Gothic architectural style in 1293 or 1300. During the reconstruction in 1616-1623, a Renaissance attic was added. Today, the castle houses a museum, hotel, and restaurant.

According to legends, during the Polish-Swedish wars, Golub Castle had a secret underground passage near Drwęca that connected it to Radziki Duży Castle. When the Swedes occupied Golub, the townspeople escaped through this passage, and the invaders were trapped when a large stone fell into the river, collapsing the tunnel. The stone can still be seen in the Drwęca stream.

Before the castle's construction, there was a wooden stronghold guarding the crossing over the Drwęca River. In 1293, it was exchanged between the monastic bishop of Włocławek and the Teutonic Order. From 1300 to 1311, a peripheral wall of the upper castle and two wings (west and south) were built to serve as the residence of the Teutonic commander. These works are associated with the involvement of Prussian national champion Konrad Sack, and the castle was likely designed by the same architect as Rogoźno Castle. In the following phase after 1330, the north-west corner tower was constructed. The castle faced capture attempts by Władysław Łokietek three times between 1329 and 1333. The southern wing contained a chapel dedicated to St. Cross, accompanied by penitential cells, the chapter house, and the infirmary. The west wing was occupied by the commander, while the north wing housed the dormitory for religious brothers. The east wing contained the sacristy, refectory, and other rooms.

To the east of the castle, a fortified bailey with towers was constructed, which housed stables, barns, and granaries. From 1409 to 1411, the castle hosted some of the religious troops gathering for the Battle of Grunwald. During the battle, Commander Nicolaus Roder was among the two hundred knights killed. In 1410, the castle was occupied by Polish knights and then handed over to Niemście from Szczytniki by King Władysław Jagiełło. However, the castle was soon reclaimed by the Teutonic Knights with the support of the Order of the Sword Knights. This led to opposition from Polish troops. In autumn 1410, under the leadership of Bydgoszcz staroste Dobiesław Puchała of the Wieniawa coat of arms, the Polish forces defeated the majority of the Livonian army in a battle near Golub. After the signing of the first peace treaty of Toruń in 1411, the castle was returned to the Teutonic Knights.

During the Golub War in 1422, the Polish army captured the city after artillery fire from 14 cannons. The castle was severely damaged due to the artillery shelling. After the Teutonic Knights recovered the castle, two Polish prisoners of war were imprisoned there. In the summer of 1423, the prisoners escaped from the castle, as documented in a letter from the Toruń commander. Subsequently, the castle's defense system was adapted to withstand firearms. Two cylindrical towers were built in the outer ward and connected by a bridge with defensive porches. The castle was rebuilt between 1433 and 1449 following the destruction.

At the outbreak of the Thirteen Years' War in1454, the castle came under the control of the Prussian Union forces, acting in consultation with Poland. On September 19, 1460, the castle was besieged by the mercenary Teutonic army led by Bernard Szumborski. However, the Polish castle crew, commanded by Andrzej Puszkarz, successfully repelled the attack. Although the Teutonic Knights captured the city of Golub, they were unable to conquer the castle for two years.

Between 1616 and 1623, the castle underwent a reconstruction ordered by Princess Anna Wazówna, the sister of King Zygmunt III Waza, who had become the owner of the Golub starosty. The reconstruction included the addition of late Renaissance attics, a building in the foregate, changes to the windows, and the installation of turrets in the corners. It was during this time that tobacco was grown for the first time in Poland, imported from Turkey. The castle was destroyed in 1655 during the Swedish wars, but its interiors were renovated at the beginning of the 18th century. In 1920, the Polish authorities established a museum in the castle, and in 1937, the roof and several rooms were renovated.

After the war, the castle underwent security work between 1947 and 1953. It was rebuilt and restored from 1959 to 1966 and during subsequent adaptation works after 2006. In 1977, Golub Castle was the site of one of the first historical reconstructions in Poland, featuring a knights' tournament. Today, it remains a prominent historical and cultural attraction, offering visitors a museum experience, as well as hotel and restaurant facilities.

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