Krasnogruda - Dwor Milosza

Traditional Polish countryside architecture is quite distinct from the stereotypes that some of you are used to. This shining and recently renovated example is a large manor house that was acquired by the Borderland Foundation and renovated to a large part with the help of the Norwegians, as it is the main building of the International Dialogue Centre. It was opened by the President Bronislaw Komorowski at the same time as Poland took over the Polish presidency of the EU. It is used for conferences and educational purposes and instils a certain amount of local pride. It is by this lake which is stocked with fish by local fishermen.

Milosz, a Nobel winning writer and poet spent some happy and even unhappy moments here as a teenager; times that he wrote about in his copious works. If you are interested you will find he also wrote in English and much is in translation. He writes much about this part of the world.

The portico of this building is sometimes used as a stage and I think may have been painted this striking shade of red for that purpose. You will notice that it has the general form of the house I posted yesterday. The roof is from wooden shingles in several layers and is already taking on a natural patina.

Today people here are celebrating Anna day and Mum & D have gone to Sejny for some reason. So a Very Happy Anna Day to all Annas everywhere and particularly in Liverpool!