The castle in Stobnica is one of the most controversial investments in Poland in recent years. The mighty structure was built on the edge of the Notecka Primeval Forest, within a protected Natura 2000 area, which from the beginning aroused opposition from the public, environmental organisations and politicians. Despite attempts by various institutions to halt construction, work is now in its final stages. Meanwhile, Business Insider has learned that an ‘oasis for multi-millionaires’, including those from Dubai, is to be created in the castle. The company D.J.T. from Poznan is responsible for the investment.
The castle in Stobnica only for a select few
The building stands out for its scale and grandeur. It has fifteen overground storeys, and the dominating element is a tower several dozen metres high. It is the largest building of its kind erected in Poland in the 21st century and one of the newest in Europe. According to information obtained by journalists from businessinsider.com.pl, the facility will not be available to mass tourism, and no typical accommodation or hotel infrastructure will be built in the castle. The investor has a completely different idea. The interiors of the colossus are to be used as luxury flats for the wealthiest, very narrow group. The spacious premises will be up to several hundred square metres each.
Visitors from the Middle East increasingly frequent Stobnica
There are increasing signs of interest from wealthy visitors from the Middle East around the investment. Visitors from the Arab Emirates are already flocking to the facility, and staff at the site speculate in an interview with Business Insider that they may soon be the ones to own the first flats. Ever-improving flight connections to Poznan and Warsaw are making the place more accessible to people from far-flung corners of the world. Although the interiors of the castle are still in the finishing stages, there is already an educational trail running around the structure. Boat trips have also recently been launched on the neighbouring reservoir, which offers an excellent view of the structure. The attractions are attracting tourists not only from Poland and Europe, but also from the Gulf countries, which only adds to the speculation and conjecture about future visitors to Stobnica.
Luxury behind closed doors
Those speaking to Business Insider reveal that the castle flats are expected to offer their owners access to a range of exclusive amenities. These include a luxury spa, an expansive ballroom and a chapel for around 100 people. There will also be a car park, probably underground, although details of this part of the development are still shrouded in mystery. And not only these. It is not yet known exactly who will be able to buy the flats, when they will be available, or what their price will be. However, there are many indications that they will not go on sale openly. This is because the Stobnica Castle has the ambition to become a place as prestigious as Warsaw’s Zlota 44 skyscraper. In the future, however, it will be possible to visit some of the spaces and organise special events, such as historical re-enactments or open-air events.
Controversies and court cases
The investment is under way at the best of times, and in the meantime, there is no quiet controversy surrounding the whole project. From the beginning, the construction has caused numerous protests and widespread outrage due to its location. The facility was built in a protected area, in the immediate vicinity of a Natura 2000 site. In 2020, the Poznań prosecutor’s office filed a charge sheet with the court against six people involved in the project. Among the charges were falsification of documents, failure to fulfil official duties and conducting the investment in violation of environmental regulations. The defendants have pleaded not guilty and the Supreme Administrative Court recently dismissed the cassation appeals, meaning that the building permit remains valid. Work therefore continues. Around 100 workers are still present on the construction site.
The castle in Stobnica – the work of Waldemar Szeszuła
The creator of the whole establishment emphasises that the aim was not to create a single object, but a whole space with the character of a historical town. In his opinion, the project was extremely complex. The preparatory work took a total of five years, with up to thirty specialists involved in the most intensive stages.
“The project did not contain any repetitive elements. It is difficult to compare it with contemporary, standard designs for residential, office and other buildings. It contains a lot of detailed detailing, largely based on stonework, requiring detailed drawings. All this to result in an object that imitates or is a form of a real medieval castle as closely as possible,” says Stobnica Castle architect Waldemar Szeszuła.
Source: businessinsider.com.pl
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