Back when Sweden was a Big Boi in War
Swedens Siege of Krakow 1655
The Swedish invasion affected the richest provinces of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (Greater Poland, Lesser Poland, Mazovia, Pomerelia, Kujawy, Podlasie), which for the most part had not been affected by major wars for 200 years.According to Professor Andrzej Rottermund, manager of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the Swedish army robbed Poland of her most precious goods - thousands of works of art, books and valuables.
Most of these items have never been returned to Poland, and are kept both in private Swedish hands and in Stockholm museums, such as the Swedish Army Museum, and Livrustkammaren.
Almost all cities, towns, castles and churches in locations where Swedish troops were stationed were destroyed, and in guides to many Polish towns and cities one can find notes that read "object destroyed during Swedish invasion".
From the Royal Castle in Warsaw the Swedes plundered approximately 200 paintings, a number of carpets and Turkish tents, musical instruments, furniture, Chinese porcelain, weapons, books, manuscripts, marbles, even dresses of maids and door frames pulled from walls.
One of the most notable effects of the devastating Deluge was the subsequent weakening of Poland's international standing. While Sweden destroyed the most, Russia also took part in the Deluge and was second only to Sweden in the level of destruction caused.
With the entire Polish nation destroyed by the Swedes and Russians, Russia was able to rise, found the Russian Empire in early 18th century and play a major role in the Partitions of Poland in the later half of the 18th century. Russia can thank Sweden for that!Today, we are invaded by MENA without anyone to defend.
