Hello,
As I have gathered from the previous discussions, some of you were interested in what happened to these places after WWI i.e. who owns them now etc. The point is that I live some 60 km from Spala and 55-60 km from Skierniewice, and I `ve also been to Bialowieza.I`m also interested in history, and , incidentally, I write for a Russian magazine in oland, and I `ve published a series of articles on these mansions hence I can tell a lot about these places. I will also enclose some pictures(as soon as I learn how to do it).
1.Spala. between the IWW and IIWW this place served as a residence for Polish presidents. They often went hunting here. They also organized an annual harvest festiwal in September when the authorities thanked farmers for their job. Farmers proudly resented their achievements.
Durinh WWII the German established their headquaarters here. In 1945, when the Soviet army was rapidly advancing, the hunting lodge , which was wooden, was burnt down during one of the battles. They say, however, that the palace was deliberately burnt town. A Soviet officer ordered to set fire to the house of the tzars. I have no idea which version is correct as there is no plausible evidence.
With the arrival of socialism, the authorities established a resort for the working class. Their stay here was partially finanaced by the government. After the overthrow of communism, this resort changed its owner but people love coming here though it seems weird that the authorities of the resort do not use this fact to promote tourism and to show this place to tourists. Also, the Olympic centre is located here where polish sportsmen train and live.
Many objects have been preserved. Alexandra Fedorovna`s glasshouse (for flowers) has been transformed into a pension. The house next to this one (her carriages were kept here) houses a drugstore and a cafe. Hunting trophies (horns) hang on the wallls of a restaurant POD ZUBREM. there is also the former hotel fot the tzar`s guests- it is a resort as well. There are also some small houses from those times. In the woods, there is a hill made of stones commemorating the last visit of Alexander III, two stones have the engravings with the dates of the last huntings, before his journey to Livadia. There is also a road to the next village built at the time of Nikolay II. Anyone interestted? I will gladly answer your questions.
