It is difficult to admit but we Poles not always like each other. It is seldom when the Pole is happy with another Pole's success. In contrary we often with vindictive satisfaction discuss somebody's failure. though similarly to other nations we have many people to be proud of. There are Poles as well which successes are more known abroad than in Poland.

Completely by coincidence we've got to know the successes of one of them during the trip in Austria. The history of one of very picturesque castle is strictly connected with our fellow countryman.

The Kreuzenstein castle lies in Lower Austria and was at the beginning the property of Habsburg family. The lot turns were not favorable for the castle. In his worst time it was difficult to describe where are its gates, mote and towers. At that time on the scene appeared Polish Wilczek family and especially one of its most famous representative Johan Nepomuk Graf Wilczek. Noble Wilczek originates form Dolna in Cieszyn Silesia. In XVIII century it got rich thanks to coal discovered on their grounds and became one of the richest families in Habsburg country. Graf Wilczek was at that time Renaissance man. He studied archaeology, art history and natural sciences. He was the main sponsor of Austrian North Pool expedition after which he became the President of Austrian Geography Association and was supporting building of polar meteorological stations. In honour of him were named such places like Wilczek Ground, Wilczek Ireland in Arctic Franz Josef Ground Archipelago and Wilczek Cape where nearby lies Polish Polar Station Hornsund.

The Graf contributed to set up of Vienna rescue service which evaluated later on into Vienna Emergency Medical Service. Graf Wilczek was the founder of Vienna Art Lovers Association, art patron and lover.

In XVIII century he became the owner of Kreuzenstein castle and decided to restore its glory. His goal however was not to rebuild the castle but to build the new one which would be a connection of existing medieval architectonic elements. The idea succeeded and today we visit picturesque and original in shape building, where we may find elements from Venice, Germany, Austria or Czech. Inside you may contemplate art museum with exhibits collected by Graf.

Castle sightseeing is possible only in guide company. Depending on the visitors' number the trip takes 45-60 minutes. You may see Arsenal, Big Knight Hall, Castle Chapel, Hunters' Hall and castle kitchen. I was mostly impressed by three rooms: Arsenal, kitchen and bedroom.

In Arsenal lies one of the biggest private armory collection in Austria, protectors for horses, swords, halberds and even XVI century guns. In amazing castle kitchen stays huge 7 meters oak table and kitchen equipment, which would be desired by every housewife. Interesting are: waffle iron, machine for noodles and dish for alcohol - the barrel without a bottom. In bedroom we were astonished by short bed - we were informed that long time ago people were sleeping half sitting and canopy was working as a pad against suffocation by big tapestry hanging on the wall by the bed. Close to the bed was placed secret hiding cabinet for jewellery and table for dreams on which you could write down dreams after the wake up. We got to know what in reality means to "go down in the world" (Polish - "to go on dogs" )

The castle was a film set by production of cuch movies like "Thre Musketeers" and „Season Of The Witch" with Nicolas Cage.
My kids instead of castle sightseeing preferred birds taming and hunting show with falcons, eagles and owls from nearby castle aviary.

I recommend it!