The project was launched and implemented with the aim of giving a new impetus to the development of the Association after 32 years of activity. The project also aimed to create new platforms for cooperation and increase the intensity of contacts between members. It also aimed to involve the younger generation of researchers and workers in international cooperation.

The research and cooperation programme will focus on different aspects of the aftermath of the Second World War: wartime consequences, damage and loss, reconstruction, rebuilding and revitalisation of buildings. It will also cover the relationship between tangible and intangible heritage. We want to explore how the Second World War not only affected the protection of tangible heritage and shaped its post-war development, but also how the intangible aspects of cultural heritage can be addressed. In countries where the heritage was not substantially destroyed, the political changes brought about by the end of the war did indeed determine the involvement of the state in the management and ownership of museums.

The current Christiansborg Palace is built on a rich history that is still evident today in various ways, both above and below ground. As the central seat of power for centuries, the palace and surrounding buildings mirror shifts in power structures and forms of government, as well as stylistic trends and diverse methods of image management and representation.

Beneath the current Christiansborg Palace lie the ruins of Bishop Absalon’s 12th-century fortress. In 1369, the Hanseatic League besieged the fortress, leading to its demolition. Copenhagen Castle was constructed on its ruins. Between 1552 and 1558, Christian III undertook extensive renovations to transform the castle into a magnificent royal residence. Christian IV made several significant changes to the castle. He heightened the large tower Blåtårn by adding a tall, distinctive structure topped with three crowns.

With its four nearly identical palaces, the Amalienborg complex is considered one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in Europe. Its construction history dates back to 1749.

The master plan was the work of court architect Nicolai Eigtved, with the octagonal Amalienborg Palace Square as its designated centre. The plots surrounding the square were allocated to four of the king’s highly trusted subjects: Adam Gottlob Moltke, Christian Frederik von Levetzau, Severin Leopoldus Løvenskiold, and Joachim Brockdorff. The four noblemen were tasked with building four identical mansions, each flanked by smaller, two-storey pavilions connected by low gatehouses. In Moltke’s Palace, now named Christian VII’s Palace, the entrance was restored in 1996 and fitted with oak-yellow doors in line with the original colour scheme.

BOARD MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION

Poland, Elbląg, Museum of Archaeology and History in Elbląg
18.02. – 19.02. 2025

Program

18 February
9.30 – 10.00 Welcome coffee, meeting in Elbląg History Museum (MAH)
10.00 – 10.15 Opening of the meeting by Director of MAH Mirosław Siedler
10.15 – 10.30 Opening of the meeting by President Ina Line
10.30 – 12.30 Board Meeting
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 15.00 Tour around the Museum/City
18.00 – Dinner

19 February
8.30 – Departure for the excursion to the Museum of Gdańsk
10.00 – 12. 00 – visit to the Wisłoujście Fortress
12.30 – 13.00 – Lunch
13.00 – 15.00 – visit to the Amber Museum
16.30 – return to Elbląg

The annual General Assembly of the Association of Castles and Museums Around the Baltic Sea and the international conference "Our Secret Objects" took place at Rakvere Castle in Estonia.

WEDNESDAY, 11th September

The event commenced with a board meeting, subsequently followed by the General Assembly. During the GA, the annual report is approved, a report on the achievements of the previous year is submitted, new members are admitted, and a new council and president are elected. The day ended with a tour and dinner in Rakvere Castle.

THURSDAY, 12th September

CONFERENCE “Our Secret Objects”

The collections of the museum are replete with artefacts. The manner in which we conduct research, interpret the findings, and present them to the public, along with the significance and information they convey, is of paramount importance. The objective of the conference is to explore the various methods by which the objects can be made to "speak" and to convey their histories through a variety of displays, contexts and novel representations. Conversely, objects require preservation, handling and consistent maintenance. The perpetual shifts in the political and security landscapes pose a grave threat to the integrity and accessibility of our collections and archives.

The official working language of the conference was English.

Grzegorz Stasiełowicz, MSc (The Archaeological and Historical Museum, Elbląg, Poland), Elbląg – reinterpretation. Traps and Victories. (Rakvere_Elblag _Stasielovicz.pdf)

Dzintra Spradzenko, MA (Rundāle Palace Museum, Latvia), Small Findings Make Big Story. (Rakvere_Rundale_Spradzenko.pdf)

Hilkka Hiiop, PhD (Estonian Academy of Arts), Newly discovered ceiling painting in the House of Estlands’ nobility: the story of its de-/remounting, conservation, dating and context. (Rakvere_Hilkka_Hiiop.pdf)

Bengt Kylsberg (Former Curator at Skokloster Castle, Sweden), Does the size matter? (Rakvere_Kylsberg.pdf)

Gunta Zakite, MA, Justīne Timermane, MA (Turaida Museum Reserve, Latvia), Inspired by the signs on the bricks or David od Turaida Castle. (Rakvere_Turaida_Zakite.pdf)

Ināra Bula, MA (Head of the Cēsis Museum, president of ICOMOS Latvija), Object and historical truth in the imagination of interpretation. (Rakvere_Cesis_Bula.pdf)

Ina Līne, MA (Tukums museum, Latvia) Stoves and Stove tiles of Bauska Castle. Some questions and answerers.  (Rakvere_Bauska_Line.pdf)

Gregory Leighton, Phd (The Malbork Castle Museum, Poland), Days After World War 2 around the Baltic Sea (D.A.B.S). Proposal for cooperation and Project Outline. (Rakvere_DABS_Leighton.pdf)

Following the conference, a second meeting was held in Rakvere Castle to attend the evening gala. The culinary offerings of the castle kitchen were inspired by historical references, and the accompanying programme ensured an unforgettable experience.

FRIDAY, 13th September

A guided tour was organised for the participants of the General Assembly, during which they had the opportunity to visit various castles and manor houses from different historical periods. In Tooles, a scenic outdoor picnic was set out by the sea.

Kolga manor – Palmse manor – Purtse Castle –Toolse Castle

Participation feeof event: EUR 80.-

Information on practical issues: Viljar Vissel, viljar@svm.ee

The castle in Sztum (Stuhm) was erected at the end of the 14th century,  as one of the last buildings of its kind in the Teutonic state. It was built as the seat of the vogt, but very soon also became the residence of the Order's Grand Masters. The masters would come to Sztum from nearby Malbork (Marienburg) - the Order’s headquarter - to rest, hunt and host important guests.

The castle remained in the hands of the Teutonic Knights for less than 100 years and by the mid-16th century the stronghold came under the Polish kings control. The Polish period in the history of the Sztum castle lasted more than 300 years. During the reign of the Polish kings, the castle was occupied by the district governors, who converted the rather austere Teutonic fortress into an elegant magnate's residence.

Trakų Vokė manor is the unique architectural monument, witch recalls the times of the Counts Tiškevičiai. The Trakų Vokė manor homestead was formed in the 19th century, when Count Józef Tyszkiewicz  (1805–1844) acquired the estate from the then owner Ludwik Dąbrowski.

Around 1876-1880, on the order of Count Witold Emanuel Tyszkiewicz (1831–1903), an ornate palace was built based on a design by Italian architect L. Marconi (1834–1919), who lived in Warsaw. The two-story palace was decorated with eight sculptures, the entrance was decorated with a cartouche with the coat of arms of the Tyszkiewicz family Leliwa. The interior of the palace sparkled with luxury: walls were decorated with valuable paintings, tapestries, and the rooms were heated with marble fireplaces, crystal chandeliers spread light. The rooms were richly decorated with elements typical of this period, with plant and floral motifs and angels; every room was painted different colour specifically chosen for each space. Today in the palace you can see 4 rooms with authentic moulded decorative ceilings, a preserved unique mosaic floor in the orangery, rare interior shutters, and a food supply tunnel.

The stone castle at Tukums was built around 1330.  It was one of the castles of the master of Livonia and served as a post office and a place of refuge for travellers.  The castle was found along an important trade route which linked Marienburg to the cities of Livonia. Written sources suggest that the Tukums Castle was directly subordinated to the master of the Livonian Order.  The Landtag meetings of the order were held at the castle twice – in 1463 and in 1481.