Kyriakos Vamvakopoulos

This is what I would call an organic journey .  Timber and earth, a vast green expanse, warm interiors, quiet corridors, simplicity. Old ways of living, an architecture that grew naturally from land, climate, and need. The  Skansen , formally known as the  Muzeum Budownictwa Ludowego – Park Etnograficzny , stands as one of Europe’s early open-air museums , established in 1913 and inspired by Stockholm’s pioneering Skansen . Spread across 90 hectares, it preserves the architectural and cultural heritage of northeastern Poland , offering a living portrait of 19th- and early-20th-century village life. Wooden cottages, chapels, farmsteads, and mills are carefully arranged among meadows and forests, accompanied by over 14,000 artifacts. Visit in spring or summer, when the fields erupt in color, and the landscape itself becomes part of the exhibition. The Mills Watermill : wood, stone, and water are arranged with quiet intelligence, forming a system where labor meets natural f...

Our Polish journey began amidst the vibrant streets of Warsaw , where history and modernity intertwine. We marveled at the Copernicus Science Centre 's innovative exhibits and strolled through the resilient Old Town. Now, we venture northeast to the serene landscapes of Masuria , with our first stop at the " Leśne Arboretum Warmii i Mazur w Kudypach " (The Forest Arboretum of Warmia and Masuria in Kudypy). This living exhibition of local and exotic trees was established in 1983 by the Regional Directorate of State Forests. It's the only specialized botanical garden in northeastern Poland, showcasing a rich collection of native and foreign tree species. It is designed to educate the public about forestry and biodiversity, it features thematic sections like the Polish flora and collections of exotic trees and shrubs. It is open daily from April 15 to October 31, with extended hours during the summer months. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walks, educational exhibits, and th...