The power of medieval representations – brand new castle built near Opole

“Gazeta Wyborcza” writes about probably the second new castle build in Poland for the groups of historical medieval reconstruction. Object is placed in Byczyna near Opole.

Anita Dmitruczuk writes in her article, that in this place we can feel like in the medieval times. Maybe it is true, but that feelings depends on the one’s sensibility of history. For someone, even the possibility to watch two men fighting with swords is a way to experience the spirit of Middle Ages. But for person who knows history and has even a little knowledge about that times such initiative is only a pale copy of reality from the past ages.

How the castle has been build? Funds came from commune of Byczyna and UE. All the cost amount to 4.5 milion of polish zloty. Officialy, object is named Polsko-Czeskie Centrum Szkolenia Rycerstwa (The Polish-Czech Center of Knights Training).

The project of the castle was a compromise between the historicity, financial capabilities and building regulations. So we can find there some bathrooms, sewerage system, electricity and even roof gutters. The stockade which circles all the buildings is build without historical elements and schemes.

There is no doubt, that this brand new castle is going to be a a tourist attraction. The plan is that this object would be opened all the year.

There is a question, if this initiative has more entertainment or educational character. But – first of all – it is an excellent example how strong are medieval myths and images in our contemporary imagination.

You can find photos of the castle on this page.

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Kategorie: Formy upamiętnienia / In english / Świadomość historyczna