A historic ensemble in Zakrzów

Zagroda Apolonia, a private open-air museum with six relocated and restored wooden houses dating from 1821 to 1933, is located in Zakrzów. The ensemble gives the place a clear cultural connection to historic wooden architecture. The dates span a broad period: 1821 marks the beginning and 1933 the end of the period specified.

Relocation and restoration describe two distinct aspects of the ensemble. Relocation shows that the houses were moved to another location; restoration refers to their repair and upkeep. To understand this, it helps to distinguish these aspects from the dates: the dates indicate the period the houses are from, while relocation and restoration describe how they were treated later. This means Zagroda Apolonia can be appreciated both through its buildings and through the way the ensemble was put together.

A window as a craft project

At the “Okno na zagrodę” family workshop run by Pracownia Bure Wióry, participants make a two-leaf wooden window. To do so, they measure, saw, sand, nail, and decorate. The windows of the houses at Zagroda Apolonia provide inspiration. The theme connects the hands-on activity with the ensemble: the houses’ windows provide the reference, while participants make a wooden window in the workshop. The tasks take participants from measuring and working on the piece through to decorating it, covering several clearly defined steps. For travelers interested in hands-on crafts, this offers a different cultural perspective from learning about the houses: the focus is on making something and on a specific architectural detail. If you want to plan for this particular workshop, check in advance whether it is offered on your dates.

Group singing in May

Zakrzów’s cultural side is not limited to its architectural heritage. At an afternoon gathering in May, local residents—adults and children—meet at a chapel on the Zagroda Apolonia grounds to sing religious songs together. The focus is neither on buildings nor on craftwork, but on religious songs and singing together. The gathering takes place at a specified time: in May, in the afternoon. This communal religious singing adds to the architectural and craft perspectives on Zakrzów.

Three different cultural perspectives

A simple distinction can help you choose a cultural focus: Zagroda Apolonia represents historic wooden houses, the workshop involves hands-on work on a window, and the gathering at the chapel is about singing religious songs together. Those particularly interested in architectural history will find a tangible point of interest in the ensemble; those interested in hands-on crafts can focus on the window project. The gathering at the chapel reveals another, religiously shaped facet of the place. Together, these topics offer different perspectives on Zakrzów without needing to be combined into a set itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Byszyce, Kokotów, Biskupice, Gdów, Kłaj, Koźmice Wielkie, Łysokanie, Brzegi

For the overview of the wider area: Wieliczka.