A craft workshop is a place where the past meets the present, and traditional techniques are given new life. The first two points of our trip perfectly reflect this idea, combining historical heritage with a modern approach to education.

The Zaradne Handicraft Workshop in Warsaw is a place where the history of medieval crafts is presented in an accessible way for modern families. Located in an industrial space in Warsaw's Żoliborz district, the workshop offers a wide range of classes inspired by ancient techniques. Particularly popular are the weaving classes, where participants learn techniques used continuously since the Middle Ages. The instructors tell fascinating stories about how weavers were among the most respected craftsmen in medieval cities, and their guilds were among the most powerful. It is interesting to note that in medieval Poland, weavers often specialized in specific fabrics, and their products were recognized throughout Europe.

Classes at Zaradny are tailored to different age groups, so both children and adults will find something for themselves. Pricing is affordable, making these workshops accessible to most families. An added bonus is the opportunity to take home your own handmade items, which makes for a unique souvenir of this historic adventure.

The Folk Craft University in Wola Sękowa, on the other hand, is a place with a soul, where tradition is treated with the utmost respect. Located in a picturesque village in the Low Beskid Mountains, the university operates in a historic complex of buildings, which is a history lesson in itself. The site is famous for its pottery workshops, where you can learn the techniques used by medieval masters. The instructors share their knowledge of how pottery was not only a craft but also an art in the old days, with each region of Poland having its own distinctive designs and techniques.

An interesting fact is the legend associated with the site, which tells of a medieval potter who could create vessels with magical properties. Apparently, water stored in his jugs never lost its freshness, and food in his bowls never cooled. Although this is just a legend, instructors use it to inspire participants to create their own unique creations.

The university offers both short workshops for families and longer courses for those who want to explore the craft. Prices are slightly higher than at the Zaradny Workshop, but include top-quality materials and the opportunity to burn your own work in a traditional kiln. As an added bonus, accommodation is available on site, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this unique place.

Comparing the two venues, Zaradne Workshop offers a more modern approach to traditional techniques, is more easily accessible to residents of large cities and has slightly lower prices. The Folk Craft University, on the other hand, provides a more authentic experience, the opportunity for a longer stay and a deeper understanding of the tradition, although this comes at a higher cost and the need to travel to a remote location.

The next two points in our journey take us even deeper into the world of medieval crafts, offering a unique experience of the ancient techniques that shaped the daily lives of our ancestors.

The Ancient Crafts Workshop in Zerdno is a real gem for history and handicraft lovers. Located by the picturesque Drawsko Lake in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, the workshop is housed in a reconstructed medieval cottage, which immediately puts visitors in the right mood. The place is primarily famous for its weaving and dyeing workshops, where you can learn about the textile dyeing techniques used in the Middle Ages.

Especially fascinating are the workshops on natural dyes. Participants learn that the color blue, so common today, was extremely valuable and difficult to obtain in the Middle Ages. It was obtained mainly from a plant called dye beetle, and the dyeing process was complicated and time-consuming. That's why blue was a royal color and a symbol of wealth. During the workshop you can make your own dyes from plants growing in the przywarztat garden and use them to dye fabrics.

The workshop also offers weaving workshops, where you can learn how to use a traditional loom and create your own piece of fabric. The instructors share their knowledge of the symbolism of the patterns used in the Middle Ages and their significance in popular culture. An interesting fact is that some patterns had magical significance and were supposed to protect the owner from evil powers.

Prices at the Ancient Crafts Studio are moderate, and workshops are available for both children and adults. An added bonus is the possibility of combining the workshops with a holiday by the lake, making this place ideal for a family weekend.

PoWoli - The Craft Workshop in Cichawka, on the other hand, is a place where you can learn the secrets of medieval ornamentation and illumination. Located in a picturesque village in the Małopolska province, the workshop specializes in manuscript decoration techniques and the creation of miniatures, which in the Middle Ages were an art reserved for the elite.

During the workshop, participants learn about the history of medieval scriptoriums - places where monks transcribed and decorated books. They learn how parchment, ink and paint were made, and then try their hand at creating initials and miniatures themselves. The instructors tell fascinating stories about medieval illuminators, who often remained anonymous despite creating true works of art.

An interesting feature is the story of 'monkey pranks' - amusing, often obscene scenes that monk-copiers hid in the margins of serious religious texts. It was their way of relieving boredom during long hours of transcription. During the workshop, children can create their own, more decent versions of such illustrations.

The workshop also offers calligraphy workshops, where you can learn how to write with a goose pen and learn about the different styles of writing used in the Middle Ages. Prices are slightly higher than at the Ancient Crafts Workshop, but include all materials, including high-quality papers and pigments.

Comparing the two places, the Ancient Crafts Workshop offers more practical skills related to daily life in the Middle Ages, such as weaving and dyeing. PoWoli, on the other hand, focuses on more elite skills such as illumination and calligraphy. Both sites offer authentic experiences and the opportunity to be transported back in time, though each emphasizes different aspects of medieval craftsmanship.

The last two points on our journey through the world of medieval crafts are where you can learn techniques for working with the most basic materials - metal and wood. It was these crafts that shaped the material culture of the Middle Ages and had a huge impact on the development of civilization.

Deco Eco - handicraft workshops in Warsaw is a place where traditional woodworking techniques meet an ecological approach to creation. Located in the eastern part of Warsaw, the workshop offers classes for families to learn the basics of woodcarving and woodworking using traditional tools.

During the workshop, participants learn about the important role wood played in the medieval economy. Instructors talk about how different types of wood were used for different purposes - oak for building construction, linden for carving, and birch for making pottery. It is interesting to note that in medieval Poland there was a system of forest protection, and the cutting of certain species of trees was strictly controlled by the rulers.

Of particular interest are the wood carving workshops, during which you can create a simple bas-relief using traditional chisels. The instructors share their knowledge about the symbolism of medieval ornamental motifs and their significance in popular culture. Participants learn that some designs, such as the rosette or tree of life, had magical significance and were used as protective talismans.

Prices at Deco Eco are moderate, and the workshops are available to participants of all ages. An added bonus is the eco-friendly approach - all materials come from sustainable sources, and participants are encouraged to use leftover materials in creative ways.

Old Craft Bartłomiej Gazda Rustic Blacksmithing in Tuszyma, on the other hand, is a place where you can learn the secrets of medieval blacksmithing. Located in the Subcarpathian province, the forge is run by a master blacksmith who continues the traditions passed down from generation to generation.

During the workshop, participants have the opportunity to see a traditional forge in action and learn basic blacksmithing techniques. The instructor tells fascinating stories about how blacksmiths were among the most respected craftsmen in medieval communities. They were not only makers of tools and weapons, but often also healers and people who were credited with magical powers.

Of particular interest is the story of horseshoes, which in the Middle Ages were not only a practical piece of horse equipment, but also a symbol of good luck. It was believed that a horseshoe hung over the door of a house protected it from evil forces and brought good fortune. During the workshop you can forge your own miniature talisman in the shape of a horseshoe.

The workshops at Bartholomew Gazda's forge are a bit more expensive than other places, due to the cost of materials and specialized equipment. They are also more physically demanding, so they are recommended for older children and adults. An added bonus is the opportunity to purchase unique hand-forged items, which make a unique souvenir.

Comparing the two venues, Deco Eco offers a more accessible workshop, suitable for participants of all ages, focusing on more delicate woodworking techniques. Bartholomew Gazda's Forge, on the other hand, provides a more intensive experience to learn about one of the most spectacular medieval crafts. Both sites offer the opportunity to travel back in time and experience working with materials that shaped the daily lives of our ancestors.

To sum up our journey through the world of medieval crafts, it is worth noting that each of the described sites offers unique experiences and the opportunity to learn about different aspects of ancient techniques. From weaving and pottery, to illumination and calligraphy, to carpentry and blacksmithing, all of these crafts formed the rich cultural landscape of the Middle Ages and had a huge impact on the development of civilization. By visiting these places, one not only learns about history, but also becomes a part of it, carrying on traditions passed down from generation to generation.