Adam Mickiewicz is widely known as the greatest poet of all times in Polish history, and his epic “Pan Tadeusz” is considered not only his finest work but also a national epic. It describes an idyllic Polish village in the early 19th century, love affairs, etc. All that takes place during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1999, a film adaptation directed by Andrzej Wajda was released. The set design was made by Oscar-winning production designer Alan Starsky. After the shooting was completed, the set was moved to Cichowo in Greater Poland.
The original buildings come from the movie set (including the coach house, stables, barn, henhouse, granary and lamus, a traditional storage building) and were rebuilt to look like a real noble farmstead from the era described by Mickiewicz.
The open-air museum has expanded year by year, adding new cottages and other farm buildings. In 2011, the Soplica manor house became part of the museum complex. The buildings are open for tourists. In addition, there’s a restaurant serving cuisine inspired by literary descriptions, as well as a guesthouse.
The museum’s guardian is Marek Pinkowski, who professionally trains animals for performing in movies. In Soplicowo, you can see various animal movie stars: Bukietka the cow and Roman the donkey (jokingly referred to as the museum’s office director). Rare birds of prey – eagles and falcons – are also a popular attraction.
