History

Stunning film of 15th century painting reveals previously unseen details and its gripping dark history

Over 500 years since being created by German painter Hans Memling, the triptych still amazes viewers with its luminous, pure colours and the richness of its dramatic content. Muzeum Narodowe w Gdańsku

The medieval triptych, the ‘Last Judgement’, is one of the most outstanding and best-preserved examples of Dutch painting in the world. But while the painting exudes action and drama, the story of how it came to be in Gdańsk is no less exciting.  

In search of David: TFN travels to the town of Płońsk to discover the birthplace of Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion

The centre of gravity for any trip to Płońsk is the house on the market square in which Ben-Gurion, the father and founder of Israel and the country’s first prime minister, lived as a child before he left for Ottoman-controlled Palestine in 1906 at the age of 20.

Erupting one hundred years ago today, TFN looks back at the story of The First Silesian Uprising

Ultimately, uprisings in Silesia would see a large swathe of the region integrated into Poland.

Is New Town Warsaw’s best-kept secret? TFN’s Stuart Dowell finds out

Dating back to 1408, New Town has a plethora of curious details, stunning building facades and a fascinating history waiting to be explored.

Warsaw train station proves it’s on the right track after being given cultural heritage status

Build in the 70s as part of a ‘socialist dream’, love it or hate it, today Warsaw’s Central train station is one of the most iconic buildings in the city.

Archaeologists uncover secrets of 18th century city on banks of the river Nile

In addition to remains of 18th century housing, the archaeologists discovered that the inhabitants of the city were probably heavy smokers as they found a few pipes in every house.

Theft, murder, stolen art and spies: Sleuth stumbles upon clue in 45-year-old mystery which could lead to valuable stolen painting

Two days after the discovery of the 1974 theft of ‘Woman Carrying Embers’ by Pieter Brueghel II from the National Museum of Gdańsk, a local customs officer who claimed to have information was kidnapped, taken to a cemetery, doused in petrol and set ablaze. The artwork has remained missing ever since, until now…

In Pilecki’s footsteps: the story behind the book ‘The Volunteer’

In an exclusive interview for TFN, Jack Fairweather, the author of a new biography on Witold Pilecki, talks about his reasons for writing the book, and Pilecki’s legacy.

New “soundwalk” uses the sounds of the past to guide people through Warsaw’s lost heart

The “soundwalk” takes users through the area flattened to make way for the Palace of Culture.

Chandelier from Oświęcim’s Great Synagogue razed during WWII lovingly restored and placed in town’s Jewish centre

During WWII the synagogue was destroyed by Hitler’s marauding troops. The chandelier was discovered during an archaeological dig in 2004 on the former site.

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