Krzyżanowice Palace

Krzyżanowice Palace is a Baroque residence from the turn of the 18th century, rebuilt in the mid-19th century in the Neo-Gothic style. It stands on Kolejowa Street in Racibórz County and has belonged to the Franciscan Sisters since 1930.

From Baroque to Neo-Gothic

The heritage register dates the building to 1699, while other sources give 1700. It was built on a rectangular plan by Count Johann Bernhard Praschma, and after his death in 1708 the palace passed into the ownership of Baron Karl Gabriel von Wengerski. From 1775 the residence was held by the Lichnowsky family, who owned numerous estates around Racibórz, Krnov and in the Opava region.

In 1856 Prince Karl von Lichnowsky had the palace rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style. The designer was the German architect Carl Lüdecke. In 1860 a round tower and a knights’ hall, today a chapel, were built in the south-eastern corner, and octagonal towers in the three other corners. The building also received projecting bays, stepped gables, pointed arches and chimneys in the English cottage style.

Guests of the palace

The Lichnowskys kept up contacts with eminent composers. Ludwig van Beethoven lived here in 1794-1796, and Franz Liszt in 1843-1848.

Convent and park

In 1930 Prince Wilhelm von Lichnowsky sold the estate to the sisters of the Franciscan Congregation, who set up a convent and a care home here. They have looked after the palace to this day. The palace was entered in the heritage register in 1965, and the park around it in 2022.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Kolejowa 4, Krzyżanowice.
• The building is an active religious house, so check with the municipal office or the congregation before visiting whether the interiors can be seen and what the rules of entry are. From outside you can see the Neo-Gothic towers and the tower.
• Nearby are Tworków Palace, Chałupki Palace and the Black Oak Open-Air Museum.