What echoes remain of a village that once hosted kings and inspired novels? You are standing in Lipków a village with a history far grander than its size suggests.
Lipków is a village in east-central Poland. It is located within the Warsaw West County. Lipków lies a few kilometers from Stare Babice and Ożarów Mazowiecki. It is not far west of Warsaw.
The first mention of Lipków dates back to 1414. It was then known as Łupków or Lubków. The village belonged to the knightly family of Prus. Lipków’s location on the edge of the Kampinos Forest meant poor soil. This caused frequent changes in ownership.
In the 18th century Lipków belonged to notable families. These included the Zamoyskis and the Mniszechs. A significant turning point came in 1790. Paschalis Jakubowicz acquired Lipków. He established a factory. It produced sought-after Lipków kontusz belts. He also built a manor.
King Stanisław August Poniatowski visited Lipków in 1791. A church was built in 1792. Hilary Szpilowski designed it.
The Jakubowicz family’s prosperity did not last. Paschalis Jakubowicz sold the estate to his son Feliks in 1811. Both Paschalis and Feliks died soon after. Józef Paschalis Jakubowicz inherited Lipków. He renovated the factory. He shifted production to silk, linen and cotton.
By 1827 Lipków had 22 houses and 264 residents. After the Jakubowicz family era Lipków changed owners several times. Kazimierz Szetkiewicz acquired it in 1880.
Henryk Sienkiewicz visited Lipków often. He courted and later married Maria Szetkiewicz. Sienkiewicz set the scene for a duel in his novel in Lipków. This duel was between Bohun and Wołodyjowski.
The church in Lipków suffered neglect due to frequent ownership changes. Financial support dwindled. The parish was dissolved in 1830. The church stood empty until 1950. A tavern featured in Sienkiewicz’s novel. It was torn down in 1921.
During World War II locals fought in the resistance. After the war a state-owned farm was established. In 1948 a fire destroyed the historic manor.
From 1950 to 1952 the church was rebuilt. A presbytery was located in the rebuilt manor. Father Wacław Kurowski founded a private museum. It showcased Lipków’s history and its connection to Sienkiewicz. The museum no longer exists.
The church fell into disrepair again. It was closed. Services were held in a temporary chapel. In 2011 renovations began. The church’s foundations were insulated. The presbytery walls were reinforced.
Today Lipków features a baroque-classical manor. It also has a classical parish church. A landscape park adds to its charm.
Lipków is a place where history whispers. Kings once walked here. A famous author found inspiration here. Though time and misfortune have taken their toll Lipków retains its story. It connects us to Poland’s rich past.