Schwenkfelder Heritage Tour
2007
Photo Gallery

Legnica, Ossiek, Grodziec Castle, Wojoieszyn, Twardocice

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Legnica was the capital city of Duke Friedrich II. We visited the castle that once housed the ducal court where Schwenckfeld was an advisor to the Duke. It was 10 am on Sunday morning as we toured the town. St John's church is in the background, and the street is lined with colorful buildings.

Photographer: Allen Viehmeyer     Location: Legnica

Sparkling in the sunlight in downtown Legnica was the newly renovated Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

Photographer: Gayle Brooker     Location: Legnica

The next stop on our tour of sites from the life of Caspar Schwenckfeld was his birthplace and hometown Ossiek. Schwenckfeld and his ancestors worshipped in this very small church. There was a baptism on the Sunday we visited the church and many people were standing outside around the entrance and listened to the service over loudspeakers.

Photographer: Gladys Frantz     Location: Ossiek

This old manner house is located not too far from the church. It has been suggested that this was the Schwenckfeld manner house, but the current structure is not that old.

Photographer: Gladys Frantz     Location: Ossiek

After a long winding climb up the mountain, the bus parked and we walked the rest of the way to the castle. Like many other medieval structures this one is now a tourist attraction. Several movies have been made on location at this castle. This picture shows the bridge to the main entrance. Schwenkfelders endured imprisonment at this castle rather than renounce their faith.

Photographer: Peter Meschter     Location: Grodziec Castle

At the castle Grodziec we had a real feast. There was lots of drink, toasts, presentations, and food prepared on the open hearth.

Photographer: Amy Yeakel     Location: Grodziec Castle

Lunch this day was at the Black Ostrich Farm. Our Polish guide Blanka had made the reservations for us, and we enjoyed a nice lunch in a rural setting.

Photographer: Gladys Frantz     Location: near Wojcieszyn

This is the Catholic mission church in Harpersdorf. It was built in 1734 from the fines paid by Schwenkfelders for not attending church and other infractions.

Photographer: Peter Meschter     Location: Twardocice

This is the monument on the Viehweg (cow path) erected in memory of the Schwenkfelders who persisted in their faith and consequently were not permitted a proper funeral and burial in the church graveyard. After the ravages of war and neglect the monument was restored and rededicated on August 2, 2003.

Photographer: Amy Yeakel     Location: Twardocice

The outside of the ruin of the Lutheran church in Harpersdorf is often photographed, but this image is a photograph of interior walls.

Photographer: Gladys Frantz     Location: Twardocice