A Lithuanian Nobleman’s Mapping of Poland

A Lithuanian nobleman's detailed observations during pilgrimages to Częstochowa and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska reveal how Poland was perceived as a foreign country by a noble from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Samuel Szemiot, born into a Samogitian family but raised in Podlasie after his father's death, documented his experiences with daily notes, akin to modern blog entries. His fascination with mechanical constructions like clocks and firearms, along with the breathtaking view of the Tatra Mountains from Lanckorona Castle, provides a unique perspective on 17th-century Poland. Szemiot's background, education at the Jesuit University of Wilno (Vilnius), and his social ascent through marriage to the daughter of the palatine of Brześć Litewski further enrich this account.

Niedźwiedź, J. (2019). A Lithuanian Nobleman’s Mapping of Poland. Social and Cultural Relations in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 205–216. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429262807-14