Tourist Route Commemorating the Events of the Polish-Swedish War of 1655-1660
This tourist route commemorates the events of the Polish-Swedish War (1655-1660), particularly the first phase of the war, from the capitulation of Ujście to the concentration of opposing armies near Konin and Koło, where an attempt was made to negotiate a peace treaty with King Charles Gustav.
The route covers locations within the Konin, Koło, and Turek districts. It is marked by the following key places: Konin – Tuliszków – Brudzew – Koło – Brdów – Gosławice – Kazimierz Biskupi – Przyjma.
Route Description:
Near Konin, Swedish forces advancing towards Koło concentrated on the hills near the village of Powiercie. Here, King Charles Gustav met Krzysztof Przyjemski, an envoy of Polish King Jan Kazimierz, who was attempting to negotiate a peace treaty. Along the route, we pass through Tuliszków, where, after the capitulation at Ujście, Krzysztof Opaliński, the Voivode of Poznań and Starost of Konin, took residence. He died shortly thereafter in his castle at Włoszakowice.
Next, we visit Brudzew, home to one of the rare "palazzo in fortezza"-type palaces, which was destroyed by the Swedish army. Continuing on, we arrive in Koło, where we can visit the town's castle and admire the panoramic view of Koło from the hill in the village of Powiercie, the same view that Erik Dahlberg, the draughtsman accompanying King Charles Gustav, famously depicted.
The next stage of the journey takes us to the Pauline monastery in Brdów (dependent on Częstochowa), a town that was destroyed by the Swedes. We then proceed to Gosławice, where the castle, also destroyed by Swedish forces, once stood. From there, we move on to Kazimierz Biskupi. The Swedish presence in this area—once a town—was documented in a monastery chronicle written by Dominik Elewski.
Finally, we visit Przyjma, the home of the Przyjemski family, who played a significant role in the history of Poland and Wielkopolska. In Przyjma, we can see a tenement house and a fortified court. It was here that Krzysztof Przyjemski, the negotiator of the peace treaty that was rejected by the Swedes near Koło, hailed from. The estate in Przyjma is one of the few remaining gentry residences in the region, akin to the famous Halszka Tower in Szamotuły.
Visitors following this route will become familiar with historical sources mentioning the Swedish occupation of eastern Wielkopolska, old descriptions of the preserved sites, their subsequent destruction, and the biographies of key figures from the Swedish Deluge period.
Prepared by: Paulina Wojtyniak
Literature: Swedish Route, Guide, Konin 2005, p. 16 – available at PTTK, Konin branch
