ARCHIVUM
CROCOVIANUM
The part of the Krokowa Museum is the exhibition presenting history of family
von Krokow, called Archivum Crocovianum. People visiting this place can find
the information boards telling the history of some members of this family (e.g.
Rajnold Krokoski, Ernest Krokowski I or the dark legend of Albert the Mad)
and can also admire paintings, books and original documents from the past time
of Krokowa.
HISTORY
OF FAMILY VON KROKOV
Krokowa is the settlement of one of the oldest Pomeranian noble family, whose
ancestor "milites Gneomirus" appears in the documents already in 1285.
1288
i 1292: prince of Pomerania M¶ciwój II bestows the
property of Jeldzino, Wysoka, Krokowa, Minkowice, Glinki on
Gniewomir
Crockau.
1300: The
bishop of Wroclaw allows Peter Krokowski to build a new church
in Krokowa, independent from Żarnowiec. Piotr Krokowski
terribly disturbed during the masses in Żarnowiec and Cistercians
Sisters asked bishop to build him a separate church!
1375-1407: The
owner of Krokowa and Jeldzino is Knight Gniewomir, mentioned
for the first time in 1375 as Gneomyrus domicellus Craccouie.
As the man of great violence he does penance for killing his
neighbour Michał Kunostowic from Sławoszyno in 1381-1382. His
son is lost in 1399 r. during the expedition to Tartars. Teutonic
Order pays the compensation to father.
1448: Knight
Jerzy of Wikrowo, Chamberlain of Grand Master of the Teutonic
Knights Conrad von Erlichshausen, becomes the owner
of Krokowa lands after having married Catherine, daughter of
the last heir of Krokowa. Jerzy of Wikrowo adopts the family
name Krokowski.
1476-1501: The
owner of Krokowa, famous for his strength, is Wawrzyniec (Lorke)
"Kaszuba" Krokowski, son of Jerzy, courtier
of Polish king Jan Olbracht. He expands dominions of his family
by Roszczyce, Osieki and Salino. In 1493 he becomes king starost
in Lębork. His brother Jerzy was an abbot of Monastery of Cistercians
in Oliwa.
1516: Hans Krokowski, son of Wawrzyniec, is beheaded by Major of
Gdansk Eberhard Ferber after the trial concerning seizure of
properties in Salino. His head is exposed in front of the city
walls.
1536-1599:
The owner of Krokowa is Rajnold Krokowski, knight, army officer
and diplomat - the greatest representative of the family. From
1547 in service of Henry II King of France, and from 1560 after
coming back to Poland in service of Sigismund I the Old - King
of Poland. He fights against Russians and Turkish. In 1569
he fights in France together with 1500 of his soldiers on Huguenots
princes’ side. In recognition of his achievements he receives
honourable title - marshal of France. As the result of sustained
wounds he gives up fighting and dedicates himself to diplomacy.
In reward for defending Puck from the attack of Brunswick prince
he is given the brewery in Puck!
1602: Ernest Krokowski, son of Rajnold, becomes the father of the
family Krokowski line. This line dies out in 1725 as Krzysztof
Krokowski, the captain of Polish Army, passes away.
1772: First partition of Poland. Heir of Krokowa, regiment commander
Kaspar Reinhold von Krockow, swears an oath of loyalty to Prussian
Kings.
1782: Krokowa property is put up for compulsory auction. The bidders
are the landrat of Tczew Caspar Ludwik von Below and the wife
of Heinrich Joachim Reinhold von Krockow from house of Pieszcza.
Auction is won by Louisa von Krockow who buys properties for
40 650 talars. Louisa rebuilds the palace and sets up a beautiful
park, famous in the whole XVIIIth century Europe.
1786: King of Prussia Friedrich confers the title of count on members
of all Krokowski house.
1791-1792: German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte stays at Krokowa
castle as a teacher of countess Louisa von Krockow’s children.
1803:
after the death of his mother "mad graf" - Albert
Kaspar Ewald von Krockow takes over the property of Krokowa.
In 1807 he loses major part of the estate due to Prussian agricultural
reform.
1823: The
body of a "mad graf" lies on Lord's Hill, together
with his horse and dogs. Since then everyday around midnight
graf rides his fiery steed with pack of dogs between Krokowa,
Sławoszyno and Minkowice. Children are told not to stay outside,
'because the mad graf comes and...'
1850: After seventeen years of work Neo-Gothic parish church is finished.
The author of the project, builder and the chief constructor
is count Karol Gustaw Adolph von Krockow, who takes and passes
his bricklaying master exam mainly for that reason. The inspiration
for the project is Notre Dame Cathedral.Until year 1945 the
church remains Protestant, and the pastor’s salary is set by
the family von Krockow.
1878: Five-year-old
count Döring von Krockow becomes the last owner of the Krokowa
property - in August 1945 he leaves his family
lands not to return there any more.
1920: When
Poland regained independence the von Krockows adopt Polish
citizenship. Children take Matura Exam (Polish end of school
exam) both in Polish and German.
1939: The
Second World War breaks out- one of the Döring's sons, Reinhold
(1911) fights during the Polish September Campaign
as a Polish officer, but dies as an officer of Wehrmacht (1944).
His brothers Heinrich (1912-1944) and Ulrich (1922-1943) also
die as German officers. Only Albrecht (1913) and Cecilia (1916)
stay alive.
1945: The Castle is a seat for a National Agriculture Farm and other
public institutions.
1990: Albrecht von Krockow and the then village mayor of Krokowa
Kazimierz Plocke initiate the establishment of the European
Meetings. Kashubian Culture Centre Foundation in Krokowa, which
rebuilds the Castle and designates it for the hotel, restaurant
and the museum.
