Zagan Poland military town on the map. Amazing bastard. The famous Zhagan Palace
Zagan is a city in Western Poland, located 40 km from the Polish-German border and 100 km from the Polish-Czech border. Zagan was first mentioned in 1202, when the city was under the rule of Duke Henry I of the Piast dynasty. For almost two centuries, the city passed from one duke to another until it became the property of King John of Luxembourg in 1329.
In 1549 Elector Moritz of Saxony ceded the city to the Czech King Ferdinand I of Habsburg. Then he passed to the famous Czech family Lobkowitz, who built a baroque palace in Žagan. After the first Silesian War in 1742, Žagan became part of Prussia.
In 1939, shortly after the attack on Poland, Nazi Germany set up a system of prisoner-of-war camps at Zagan, housing over 300,000 prisoners. It is estimated that about 120,000 of them died from starvation, disease, and abuse. Later, in 1942, an additional camp was set up for Allied pilots, called "Stalag Luft 3". In May 1945, the process of expulsion of the German population began. In their place came Polish prisoners, displaced from the eastern outskirts.
Today, tourists are interested in the city center with buildings of the sixteenth century, the former Augustinian monastery, the church of the Holy Spirit in the late baroque style of 1701, the parish of the Holy Cross with a Gothic chapel, and ancient military barracks. There is also a POW camp museum in the city.
The small town of Zagan is part of the Lubuskie Voivodeship and is the center of the county of the same name. At the beginning of the millennium, the population was approximately 26,000.
History of Žagan
It is believed that the city owes its foundation to Zhaganna, the granddaughter of Prince Krak, the very one who ordered the construction of the capital of Poland - Krakow. According to this legend, the first house was built at the beginning of the 13th century. But many tend to believe that this is a myth, and argue that the real founder of Žagani can be considered Bolesław Curly, the Polish king. In addition, supporters of the second version believe that the foundation of the city falls on a later period - the second half of the XII century. However, both options are controversial. Be that as it may, it is absolutely known that Zhagan received the status of a city only in 1285.
Times were troubled. The lands went hand in hand. They found themselves under the rule of the Germans, Poles, Czechs and Austrians. In fairness, it is worth noting that the change of power took place surprisingly peacefully: without war and devastation. This is a phenomenal fact! For the most part, Zhagan was under the control of the Piasts. The turning point in the history of the city can be considered the XIV century, when Prince Pshemko introduced the Catholic faith in Zhagan. As a result of this decision, the Augustian monastery appeared, as well as a baroque church. These unique buildings have survived to our time. Tourists from all over the world admire the amazing monuments of architecture.
In the 15th century, the possessions passed to the German aristocrat - Albert III, who ruled the Saxon lands. Gradually, the Germans change the name in their own way, calling it "Sagan". More than one owner will change before the city passes to Bohuslav Lobkowitz. It was he who would order the construction of a magnificent baroque palace, which became famous not only throughout Poland, but also in Europe. Several centuries have already passed since this architectural monument, fantastic in its scope, was created, but the admiration for the building does not dry out, rather, on the contrary, interest in it is growing every year. Further Zhagan will pass from one owner to another more than once, only in 1945 the city will be finally transferred to Poland.
The famous Zhagan Palace
Already approaching the building, visitors can fully enjoy the amazing architecture. The palace complex can be divided into three parts: central and two side. Delightful finishes, a lot of stucco elements, various decorative details - everything screams about luxury and wealth. The architect successfully placed the building: it is located on a hill, and the entrance to it is two-way.
The palace has many exhibits of great interest to the public. Here are letters from celebrities, including the famous German poets Goethe and Schiller, a lot of correspondence, the authorship of which belongs to Dorothea Sagan. The palace also stores the correspondence of many German aristocrats and just famous personalities. Among them, perhaps, it is worth highlighting Napoleon's letters to Josephine. Also, the priceless score of The Magic Flute (W. A. Mozart) is preserved in the Zhagan residence.
Separately, it is worth mentioning Wallenstein's private office, where the old furnishings are preserved. In this room, almost all the walls are hung with portraits, which depict relatives of the former owner. However, the palace has a whole art gallery, some of the images depict the most important historical events that took place in Europe.
It is difficult to list all the items of interest: there are many things of artistic value, some of which will be of interest to historians. Of course, the palace was robbed more than once and much simply did not survive, but what is there is enough to spend almost a whole day visiting the palace.
Attractions Zagan
It is impossible to ignore the monastery complex, created in the XIV century. Almost all buildings are built in the Gothic style, which is characterized by narrow windows, sharp tops of towers. However, the interior of the church is more typical of luxurious and elaborate baroque: all the furnishings are expensive and richly decorated.
Also in Zagan it is worth visiting the baroque monastery, on the territory of which there is a chapel of St. Anna. Traditionally, guests of the city also visit the monastery's grain storage and the ancient library, created back in the 13th century.
This is a small city that is part of the Lubuskie Voivodeship, it is the center of the county of the same name. In 2004, the population of the city is 26,665 inhabitants. Zagan is located in southwestern Poland on the southern side of the Lubuskie Voivodeship on a river called Bubr.
It is generally accepted that the city was founded thanks to Zhadana, who was the granddaughter of the prince of Krak, the very one who once gave the order to build the capital of Poland, the large city of Krakow. Based on the legend, the first house was built in the thirteenth century. But most people believe that this is a myth and claim that Boleslaw the Curly-haired Polish king really founded the city. In addition, those who adhere to the second version believe that the city was founded in the second half of the twelfth century. It is not known exactly which of these options is considered correct, but it is absolutely certain that Zhagan received the status of a city in 1285.
Then there were not the best times, the lands, one might say, went from hand to hand. They found themselves under the rule of the Germans, Czechs, Austrians, Poles. But we must take into account, no matter how strange it may seem, the change of power came peacefully without devastation and bloodshed. For the most part, the city was under the control of the Piasts. The turning point in the history of the city fell on the fourteenth century, it was then that the prince introduced the Catholic Faith into the city. Then the Augustinian monastery was built, as well as the first baroque church. These two amazing architectural monuments have survived to this day. Tourists from all over the world come to see them.
Commemorative coin of Zhagan
In the fifteenth century, all possessions pass into the power of the aristocrat Albert III, who at that time already ruled the Saxon lands. Over time, the Germans changed the name of the city in their own way, calling it Sagan. The city had many owners before it came to Bohuslaw Lubkowitz, who ordered the construction of a magnificent baroque palace, which became famous not only throughout Poland, but also became famous throughout Europe. Several centuries have passed since the creation of this architectural monument, unusual in its scope, but the admiration for this castle has not dried up until now. On the contrary, every year more and more tourists come here to admire this beautiful building. In 1945, the city was finally transferred to the Polish state.
Already from a distance, a view of the beautiful architecture of the Zhagansky castle opens up. The entire Palace complex of the castle can be conditionally divided into a central part and two side ones. The whole view of the building screams about its luxury and richness - unusual decoration, a lot of stucco elements, as well as various decorative details. The places for this palace are very well chosen, as it is located on a hill, and the entrance to the castle is two-way.
In the palace you can get acquainted with numerous exhibits that are of great interest to the public. Here are the letters of celebrities, including the most popular German poets Goethe and Schiller. Also here is a lot of correspondence by the author, which was Dorte Sogan. The palace contains unique correspondence of many German aristocrats and simply famous personalities. Among them, Napoleon's letters to Josephine are very valuable. Also in the residence, an unusually valuable score of The Magic Flute has been preserved.
Wallenstein's personal office is located in the Tagansky Palace, all of his old furnishings have been preserved there. The walls in this office are all hung with portraits of relatives of the former owner. I must say that the palace has a whole art gallery. Some of the paintings depict the most important historical events that have taken place in Europe for a long time.
There are many things here that carry artistic value. Of course, the palace was attacked and looted. So, many values simply did not survive, and the fact that there is enough to get a lot of unforgettable impressions.
Monastery complex of the 7th century
In the city it is worth visiting the monastery complex, which was created in the fourteenth century. Almost all buildings were built in the Gothic style, which are characterized by narrow windows and sharp tops of the towers. But the interior of the church is typical of baroque luxury, all design items are expensive and unique.
