History of the Museum

The Beekeeping Museum was established in 1977 in Stroze by Anna i Janusz Kasztelewicz who are the owners of the Beekeeping Farm 'Sadecki Bartnik' . The aim of this enterprise was to promote beekeeping in an easy and accessible way in order to attract people who know very little about the life of a bee.
In May 2000, the owners bought from an acclaimed beekeeper Bogdan Szymusik a collection of beehives that became the foundation of the current museum's exhibition. Thanks to the initiative of Anna i Janusz Kasztelewicz, the collection is being preserved intact and Bogdan Szymusik was honoured with the title of museum's patron. They constantly enrich the collection and do not cease in their edneavour to make the exhibition even more attractive to tourists. At present there are over 100 different kind of beehives.

For special attention deserves tree-trunk beehive, called 'The King', with a stand for five bee families and movable-frame beehive constructed by Dzierzon. Both from 1822 are registered as monuments. The collection includes also a real rarity appreciated especially by beekeepers themselves - it is the world's first frame beehive named after its inventor 'The Beehive of Hubner'. The figural beehives, like 'St. Ambrose' and  'Devil' without which it's hard to imagine any proper apiary as it is said to protect from evil, amaze everyone without exception.

There are also two African beehives that were obtained during the visit in the Republic of South Africa. In the exhibition huts that were reconstructed from original elements, a wide range of beekeeping accessories can be seen. Among them another rarity is included - Hruska honey extractor that is the first extractor for only one comb. Worth mentioning are also bee smokers, old bee extractors and monumental cages for bee queens.

While visiting the museum, a guide tells many interesting stories about beekeeping history and application of different equipment. The exhibition consists also of a vast number of everyday use items were indispensable in a well-kept farm. All of it make make the museum a charming place with an exceptional atmosphere. The library of the museum, which is currently under reorganization, comprises of a collection of old and unique books about beekeeping that will be available for tourists in the existing reading-room.
 
On the land of the museum a several meter high wild beehive stands. It is called the Carpathian Beehive of the Millennium and as the highest in Poland it is registered in the Book of Records and Peculiarities. The museum itself is surrounded a lovely Zarembow Park with many nature monuments. The place that is just perfect for open-air artistic workshops. 

Every year on the first Sunday of July , Biesiada u Batnika takes place. It is an open-air picnic that is accompanied by lectures and discussions related to the topic of beekeeping. Another attraction is the display of honey harvesting combined with honey tasting and regional dishes savouring, all of it with the folk music in the background and cabaret shows. Year after year, Biesiada is gaining on its popularity.

The owners of the Beekeeping Museum in Stroze never stop in their efforts to improve the quality of their services and to diversify their tourist offer. Visitors of the museum have the chance to enjoy all the available attractions, organized as ordered beforehand.

 


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