The Architecture of Happiness, or a Short History of the Polish “Gargamel”

Architecture always reflects the times, but through architecture a relation to heritage is also established. The building of castles has always been an example of a wider trend demonstrating itself in the return to historical forms of style and the employment of traditional materials and solutions. Along with technology and changes in war doctrine, the decline of the castle as a fortified feudal residence was inevitable. It was not until the mid-19th century that attempts were made to restore deserted castles. Modern architectural forms like the castle, but also the palace and court, conveniently allow one to manifest one’s attachment to tradition. In this paper, the contemporary phenomenon of architecture that refers to historic castle forms in both public buildings as well as private houses – so-called ‘gargamels’ – is analyzed.