Museum of Romanticism in Opinogóra, Poland

The very interesting and charming Museum of Romanticism is located in small village Opinogóra Górna in Ciechanów County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It lies approximately 7 kilometres north-east of Ciechanów and 100 km north of Warsaw. The Museum was open in 1961 in a small Neo-Gothic castle from the early nineteenth century, which had once belonged to the Krasiński family.

The most famous representative of the family was Zygmunt Krasiński (1812-1859), the playwright and poet. It was the leading representative of Polish romantic dramaturgy. His best-known work is "Nie-Boska Komedia" ("The Undivine Comedy"), written in 1835, in which Krasiński challenges the romantic myths of love, fame and idyllic happiness.

Museum of Romanticism is situated in an English park created in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The four buildings comprise the Museum of Romanticism's Romantic Architectural Complex: the Castle from the first half of the nineteenth century, the Gardener's House from the second half of the nineteenth century, the House with Arcades and a newly erected manor house. The Museum collects memorabilia relating to the history of the Krasiński family.  It also houses the Centre for Studies of the Napoleonic Era.

Most charming building in the museum complex is Castle - situated on a hill in a landscaped park. The construction of the castle started in 1828 and the building was finished in 1843. It was probably designed by a Henryk Marconi - an Italian architect who spent most of his life in Poland. He designed many buildings in Warsaw, e.g. the Great Fountain in the Saxon Garden and many palaces by the Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street.

Before 1843 the castle was extended from the north with two big chambers. In 1894 the castle was restored and repainted. Again it was rebuilt in 1912. By the time of first and second world war castle was destroyed. It was rebuilt from 1958 to 1960 eliminating some of the changes made in a second half of the 19th century. The castle houses the Museum and displays period interiors, decorative art objects and a variety of romantic souvenirs.

In the park, you can visit the church with Zygmunt Krasiński's burial crypt, as well as those of his parents and children. There is also a newly erected manor house, built in 2008, based on a century-old design by Józef Gałęzowski, housing the 'Polish Romanticism' exhibition.

It's a very interesting and charming place, located away from the main roads. You can spend a whole day there, or connect trip to Opinogóra with a visit to Castle of the Dukes of Mazovia in Ciechanów (read more).

You might also like other articles about most beautiful Polish castles and palaces (click)

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