Kawaler's Palace in Świerklaniec

The Kawaler's Palace (Pałac Kawalera), also called the Kawaler's House, is a neo-Baroque red-brick residence in the historic park in Świerklaniec. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century as a guest house of the former seat of the Henckel von Donnersmarck family. Of the whole residential complex it is among the best preserved buildings.

A house for the princely family's guests

The palace was built in 1903-1906 on the initiative of Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck to a design by Ernst von Ihne, an architect connected with the imperial court in Berlin. The heritage register gives a slightly earlier date, 1900-1902. The building served people visiting the residence and participants in hunts on the Donnersmarck estates. Among the guests was Emperor Wilhelm II.

After the partition of Upper Silesia, Felix Calonder, a former president of Switzerland and chairman of the Mixed Commission for Upper Silesia, lived in the house in 1924-1937. The commission considered matters arising from the Polish-German Geneva Convention, including complaints concerning the rights of residents.

Appearance

The palace has a compact, two-storey body on a plan close to a square and a mansard roof, partly hidden by a balustrade. The plinth, cornices, window surrounds, corners and portals are made of light sandstone, which contrasts with the red clinker brick. On the façade is the coat of arms of the Donnersmarck family and the inscription “Memento vivere”, that is “Remember to live”.

In the stately hall with a staircase, marble cladding and mirrors were used. The rooms had oak parquet floors, marble floors and central heating, and the bathrooms had faience bathtubs imported, as materials about the building state, from America.

Fate after 1945

In 1945 the palace was partly damaged, but it was rebuilt, unlike the main Donnersmarck palace and the Old Castle, which were destroyed after the war. In the 1950s it housed a PTTK tourist hostel, then a training centre connected with mining, and then a hotel with a restaurant. The building is owned by the municipality of Świerklaniec and is used for cultural events.

The park and surroundings

The palace stands in the middle part of the palace park in Świerklaniec, next to the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Donnersmarck mausoleum and the remains of the Old Castle. The park adjoins Lake Chechło-Nakło, and it is about seven kilometres to Tarnowskie Góry with the Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Parkowa 30, Świerklaniec.
• The interiors are visited as part of a guided tour run by the Municipal Cultural Centre in Świerklaniec; dates and rules must be checked before your visit.
• The park serves recreational and tourist functions.