A new chapter for memory, dialogue, and education at the Krzyżowa Foundation
Following three years of intensive renovation, conservation work, and the creation of a completely new spatial arrangement, we have once again opened the doors of a truly exceptional place – the House on the Hill (Dom na Wzgórzu). The celebrations inaugurating this new chapter in the Foundation's history took place on June 2 and 3, 2026.
We had the honor of welcoming state officials from Poland and Germany, parliamentarians, diplomats, and local government representatives. Among the guests were Jan Tombiński – Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Berlin, Knut Abraham – Coordinator for German-Polish Intersocietal and Cross-Border Cooperation for the German Federal Government, and Paweł Gancarz – Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. A special guest of honor was Helmuth Caspar Graf von Moltke, son of Helmuth James and Freya von Moltke.
A place of shared responsibility
The House on the Hill, located slightly apart from the main palace and farm complex in Krzyżowa, carries immense historical and symbolic significance. From 1928 to 1945, it served as the family home of Helmuth James and Freya von Moltke. It was right here, during World War II, that the three pivotal meetings of the Kreisau Circle (Krąg z Krzyżowej) took place. As one of the most significant groups within the German anti-Nazi resistance, they worked tirelessly to draft a vision for a democratic Europe based on Christian and social values after the eventual fall of the Third Reich.
"Since its official opening in 1998, which took place in the presence of Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, the House on the Hill has been a place of meeting and reflection on themes central to our Foundation: civil courage, civic engagement, and the power of Polish-German and European dialogue. Following three years of modernization works, it is with great joy that we reopen this space to visitors," – emphasize the members of the Board of the Krzyżowa Foundation, Dorota Krajdocha and Dr. Habil. Robert Żurek.
Many meaningful words were also shared by the Deputy Mayor of the Świdnica Municipality, Tadeusz Szarwaryn:
"Krzyżowa remains one of the most important landmarks of European reconciliation – a space where history does not divide us, but instead binds us to a common duty. [...] It is thanks to your work that Krzyżowa serves as a place for encounters, the exchange of experiences, and mutual respect, where young people can learn about responsibility, cooperation, and democratic values."
How we transformed the space: Four educational zones
The renovation involved a thorough modernization of the building alongside the refreshment of the residential quarters. In accordance with the wishes of Freya von Moltke, the house continues to seamlessly combine its educational functions with living spaces for the Foundation's volunteers and staff.
The residential area was designed by architect Christopher Schmidt-Münzberg, who beautifully incorporated Lower Silesian cultural heritage into the layout, utilizing regional elements such as Bolesławiec ceramics. The new interior arrangement and curatorial concept were developed by a team consisting of Dominik Kretschmann, Anna Kudarewska, Dr. Tomasz Skonieczny (Project Manager), and Dr. Habil. Robert Żurek, with the expert support of the Advisory Commission chaired by Dr. Annemarie Franke, and the JAZ+ Architekci studio, which was responsible for the graphic concept.
From 2026 onwards, the educational space has been divided into four distinct zones:
Room 1. "Kreisau" (The Memorial Room): Its unique, historic character has been carefully preserved, featuring the symbolic, four-part table designed by Beata Gryt-Tomaszewska and Tomasz Tomaszewski, which reflects the diversity of thought within the Kreisau Circle.
Room 2. "Kreisau / Krzyżowa": This former transitional room has been given a completely new purpose, dedicated to the theme of migration and the fates of displaced persons. The narrative is built around the biographies of two women: Freya von Moltke, who was forced to leave Krzyżowa in 1945, and Ewa Unger – a Siberian labor camp survivor, post-war resident of Lower Silesia, and co-founder of the Foundation, who has symbolically become the new guardian of this space.
Room 3. "Krzyżowa": Located where the old library used to be, this space chronicles the Polish-German dialogue and the birth of the Krzyżowa Foundation. The exhibits include historic photographs from June 1989, a display shelf filled with artifacts, and the original armchairs in which Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek and Chancellor Helmut Kohl sat during the initial opening of the House on the Hill in 1998.
Room 4. "The Reflection Room": A fully modernized workshop space equipped with comfortable bean bags and floor seating. The deliberate absence of a dominant exhibition theme provides maximum flexibility, making it an ideal environment for a wide variety of educational projects.
"The new Krzyżowa shapes young people for life. The earlier people learn to cast aside prejudices and truly listen to one another through encounters like these, the more unthinkable wars and conflicts between neighbors become."– summarized Knut Abraham, Member of the Bundestag, highlighting the vital significance of these spaces.
Special honors for Helmuth Caspar Graf von Moltke
The ceremony was also a deeply moving occasion due to the presence of our guest of honor. Helmuth Caspar Graf von Moltke – a living witness to history and co-founder of the organizations dedicated to Krzyżowa and Polish-German reconciliation – was presented with two highly prestigious distinctions:
- The "Bene Merito" Honorary Badge, awarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland in recognition of his outstanding activities aimed at promoting Poland and strengthening its position on the international stage.
- The title of "Honorary Citizen of the Świdnica Municipality", bestowed by the Świdnica Municipal Council following a formal request by the Krzyżowa Foundation.
The official part of the event culminated in a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a guided tour of the beautifully renovated spaces of the House on the Hill and its brand-new exhibition.
The partner of the event was the Freya von Moltke Foundation, with supporting partners including the Świdnica Powiat, the Świdnica Municipality, and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Wrocław. The event was co-funded by the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation (FWPN).
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