Super place to visit when you are near Golub Castle! An excellent cafe!
Pavel - 12.05.2009Among the picturesque fields of the Dobrzyń Land, in the vicinity of the Drwęca River valley and Chelmno Lake District lies Szafarnia. The name of the village has probably existed since the end ofIt was founded in the 13th century, but in written sources it was first mentioned in the Prussian tax cadastre of 1772-1773, drawn up after the first partition of Poland. Szafarnia was made famous by the Dziewanowski family, sealing themselves with the Jastrzębiec coat of arms, which had held landed estates in Rypin county since the mid-17th century. Cultivation of national traditions and upbringing in the spirit of patriotism made the members of this family distinguished themselves with unparalleled heroism, fighting for our freedom and yours. Dominik Dziewanowski (1759-1827) and Jan Nepomucen Dziewanowski (1782-1808) were particularly brave. The most significant event, thanks to which Szafarnia appeared on the cultural map of Europe, became the stay at the Dziewanowskis' estate of Fryderyk Chopin (1810 -1849) - an outstanding Polish composer and pianist. The beginnings of an extremely cordial and lasting friendship between the Dziewanowski and Chopin families date back to the bachelor years of Mikołaj (Fryderyk's father), who most likely worked as a tutor and teacher at Szafarnia. The intimacy between the houses was further strengthened by the friendship between Dominik Dziewanowski (son of Juliusz) and Fryderyk Chopin, and the fact that Jan Nepomucen Dziewanowski held Ludwika Chopin for baptism. The friendship between Domus and Frycek, which had already blossomed when they were studying together at the Liceum Warszawskie, resulted in two visits by the young composer to the Dziewanowskis' estate during summer vacations in 1824 and 1825. His stay in Szafarnia and the surrounding area was not limited to meetings and social games. It had a great influence on the formation of the artistic sensibility of the later composer of piano masterpieces. It was in Szafarnia that Chopin had his first contact with authentic folk music, the echo of which was reflected in his numerous compositions and on the basis of which his individual national style crystallized. What's more, many researchers believe that the mazurkas eagerly improvised on the themes of heard folk songs, often played during his summer stay with the Dziewanowskis, became the prototypes of the composer's mature works.
Agnes - 12.05.2009
