Tatra Museum in Zakopane
address: Chochołów 75,
The Museum of the Chochołów Uprising is based in a cottage situated at the
junction of the roads leading to Zakopane and Czarny Dunajec. The whole
farmstead, cottage and farm buildings come from the 19th century and were owned
by the rich farmer Jan Bafia. The cottage, typical of Podhale architecture, was
erected in 1798, while the furnishings come from the mid 19th century, the time
of the Uprising. The 'black' chamber was intended for the whole family's daily
activities and hence contained furniture and utensils used day by day for
various housekeeping purposes. The 'white' chamber testified to the family's
affluence and contained a good many decorated articles used on festive
occasions. The historical part of the exhibition, extending all over the
cottage interiors, includes memorabilia, documents and photographs illustrating
the history of the village of Chochołów and preparations for the Uprising, its
course and leaders.
The Chochołów Uprising, an armed action of the mountaineers of Chochołów and
nearby villages against the Austrian authorities, was organized in Chochołów by
teacher Jan Kanty Andrusikiewicz and priests Leopold Kmietowicz and Michał
Głowacki. It was to conicide with a nationwide uprising which was cancelled,
the news of which failed to reach Chochołów in time. The Uprising broke out in
February 1846 and despite initial success was soon suppressed by the Austrians.
Many insurgents were imprisoned in the Castles of Spielberg, Kufstein and
Wi¶nicz. All were released during the Spring of the Peoples revolutions in
1848. Though the Chochołów Uprising lasted a very short time and was merely an
episode in the Cracow revolution, it became an important event in the Podhale
region.
Zbigniew Ładygin ysladyg@cyf-kr.edu.pl