Rheinbaben Palace

The Rheinbaben Palace, popularly called Zameczek (the Little Castle), stands at ul. Oświęcimska 1 in Michałkowice, part of Siemianowice Śląskie. It is surrounded by an extensive park, today the Górnik town park. Since 2016 the palace has been a branch of the Siemianowice Cultural Centre.

From a manor house to a palace

The original manor house in Michałkowice belonged to the Mieroszewski family of the Ślepowron coat of arms. It was wooden, on brick foundations, and from the 16th century brick storeys and a tower over the gate were added to it. In 1741 the estate passed to the Schwellengröbel family, and then to the Rheinbabens, who built the present palace. According to the National Heritage Institute this happened in 1870, while other studies give 1836. In 1892 the palace was bought by Hugo zu Hohenlohe-Öhringen. Around 1906 or 1907 the building was rebuilt and an orangery was added, to a design by Louis Dame.

Architecture

It is a single-storey brick palace on a rectangular plan with plastered façades and a gable roof. In the middle of the building there is a two-storey projecting bay, and at the side a three-storey one. Above the main entrance a cast-iron canopy with arabesque decoration is stretched, and on the park side stands a terrace preceded by steps. The interiors include a fireplace hall and a ballroom connected to the orangery. In the park stands a neo-Gothic house of the forester and gardener.

After 1945 and today

After the war the palace was taken over by the “Michał” mine, which set up a company cultural centre in it, and later it came under the “Siemianowice” mine. Since 2009 it has belonged to the municipality. In 2017-2018 the façade was renovated, and the roof covering and window joinery were replaced. Today the palace houses a mirror hall for 130 people, an orangery and art studios, and hosts concerts and cultural events as well as classes for children, young people and adults.

From Michałkowice it is close to the Silesian Park and the Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Oświęcimska 1, Siemianowice Śląskie-Michałkowice.
• The palace lies in the Górnik town park.
• The current programme and rules for entry are given by the Siemianowice Cultural Centre.