Raczyński Palace in Złoty Potok

The Raczyński Palace stands in Złoty Potok in the municipality of Janów and is entered in the heritage register. It was given its present form in the 19th century by rebuilding an earlier building. It is in a very poor technical condition and cannot be visited, but the palace complex with its park is still an important place on the map of the Jura.

From the Little Castle to a residence

From the 16th century a manor house stood here, probably a defensive one, known as the Zameczek (Little Castle). At the beginning of the 19th century it fell into ruin. In the middle of that century the estate was bought and restored by General Wincenty Krasiński, and in 1856 a Neoclassical palace was built on his orders, making use of the earlier building. The neighbouring manor house from 1829 was intended for the general's son, Zygmunt, who lived in it in the summer of 1857.

After Zygmunt the estate was inherited by his daughter Maria, from 1877 the wife of Count Edward Aleksander Raczyński. Their Nałęcz coat of arms was placed on the front of the palace. At the beginning of the 20th century the Raczyński family rebuilt the residence, giving it its present shape, and lived here until 1939, when they had to leave it under the German occupation. After 1945 the estate was nationalised, and for many years the palace housed a school.

The park by the Wiercica

The complex includes a 40-hectare English-style park from the 19th century, through the middle of which flows the Wiercica. It was designed by Franciszek Szanior, who introduced, among others, the Japanese larch, the Turkestan elm, the tulip tree and the Siberian pea tree. A natural monument also grows in the park, an oak about 600 years old known as "Dziad" (the Old Man).

The Krasiński manor house and the surroundings

The Neoclassical manor house is today the seat of the Zygmunt Krasiński Regional Museum. The village also has a monument to Jan Kiepura, and in the area lies Ostrężnik Castle.

Practical information

• Location: Złoty Potok, Janów municipality, Częstochowa County.
• The interiors of the palace are not open to visitors; it can be seen from the outside from the grounds of the complex.
• Check the rules for entering the park and the museum's opening hours with the museum before your visit.