✍️ A Peaceful Stop in the Heart of Polish Countryside
Just a short ride from Sieradz, tucked away among peaceful fields and villages, lies one of the region’s hidden gems – the Walewski Museum in Tubadzin. If you’re cycling across central Poland and enjoy history, quiet parks, and old manor houses, this stop is well worth the detour.
🏛️ A Manor with a Past
The elegant classicist manor house, built in the late 18th century by Maciej Zbijewski, is the heart of this charming estate. It might not be grand in size, but it radiates quiet elegance.
The manor’s most famous resident, Kazimierz Stanislaw Walewski, was not only its last private owner, but also a passionate historian, genealogist, and art collector. Thanks to his work, we now have a rich glimpse into the world of the Polish gentry. Walewski dedicated his life to preserving the history of his family – a lineage that goes back to the 14th century.
If the name “Walewska” rings a bell, you’re not mistaken. The museum also honors Maria Walewska, known for her connection to Napoleon Bonaparte and her Colonna-Walewski heritage – an Italian twist to a very Polish story.
🪑 Inside the Manor
Walking through the manor is like stepping into a time capsule. The interiors are arranged as they would have been at the turn of the 20th century – complete with a salon, library, dining room, and bedrooms filled with antiques. Paintings, furniture, rare books, and personal memorabilia line the rooms, including over 100 portraits of the Walewski family.
Though many of these items were damaged or lost during World War II, several treasures have since been recovered and restored, returning to their rightful place in the house.
🌳 A Stroll Through the Park
The manor is surrounded by a beautiful 3-hectare park, filled with old-growth trees: linden, black alder, ash, elm, larch, and chestnut. The park has been carefully restored and even won the Gold Medal from the Ministry of Culture in the 1990s.
You’ll also find the restored outbuilding, once part of the original estate, now used for museum operations.
🚴For Cyclists: A Worthwhile Detour
This is an ideal rest stop if you’re cycling around Sieradz or heading toward the Warta river or Lodz. The park offers shade and peace, perfect for a picnic or a short walk. The museum itself is compact but engaging – a visit can take under an hour, leaving time for further exploration.
🧳 Plan your visit
- Location: Tubadzin, ~15 km west of Sieradz
- Opening Hours: Usually open from spring to autumn – check official museum website for days and hours
- Tickets: Affordable and usually available on-site
- Best Access: Via bike from Sieradz or Warta – quiet country roads, minimal traffic
- Estimated Visit Time: 45–60 minutes – ideal for a midday break
- Best time to visit:
- 🍂 Autumn: The park’s foliage blazes with color.
- 🌸 Spring: Flowering gardens frame the manor beautifully.
📍 Nearby, consider continuing to:
- Sieradz invites you with cobbled streets, charming squares, and historic buildings dating back to the 14th century
- Goluchow Castle – a fairy-tale Renaissance castle with a museum and beautiful grounds.
- Witaszyce – home to a Napoleonic museum and even the option to stay overnight in a manor house.
✅ Final Thoughts
The Walewski Museum in Tubadzin offers more than just a history lesson – it’s a quiet, authentic experience of rural Polish heritage. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture lover, or just looking for a peaceful cycling break, this manor and its leafy park offer a small but rewarding window into a bygone world.
🗺️ This destination is pinned on my Global Cycling Map.
🖼️ Photo Gallery
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