Not only does Kartuzy have a rather groovy name, it’s also home to one of the weirdest sights in the region, nay, the whole of Poland. What is it you ask? Well i t’s not the church where monks slept in coffins, it’s far weirder than that. It’s a great big half built castle that’s been pretty much rotting away for the last two decades. Nothing strange about a ruined castle you might think, but oh yes there is. Building work on Poland’s finest folly (and there quite a few contenders for that title), started in 1979 at the behest of Piotr Kazimierczyk. Kazimierczyk, a local artist, was granted permission to build a 170sq/m work studio on a patch of ground overlooking the lake. To say he bent the rules is an understatement. What went up was a 5,000 sq/m mock castle complete with gateways, turrets and ramparts. Known locally as Łapalice Castle the structure has been lying half-finished and fenced off ever since Kazimierczyk ran out of funds. So what’s in store for this remarkable phantom? Kazimierczyk has been ordered to demolish the illegal structure, impossible given his financial means, while banks have been scared off purchasing it by the monstrous price tag attached. For now it stands as a lonely symbol of Poland’s inherent madness, though if you believe the rumours, the local council will be knocking it down sometime in the next few years. Peer, through bushes and brambles, while you can, and watch for guard dogs.