Ruins of the Palace in Brzeźnica

The palace in Brzeźnica, a village in the Rudnik municipality near Racibórz, is a Renaissance building from 1645, today a permanent ruin. The walls survive up to the height of the first storey, and a park with old trees stretches around it.

History and architecture

The palace was built in 1645 by Małgorzata Dzierżanowska, then owner of the village. In 1945, during military action, it was destroyed. The building was of masonry and plastered, built on a rectangular plan, with its front facing north. Originally it had an upper floor; today the walls stand to the height of the first storey.

The layout of the interiors had two bays and was asymmetrical. In the through hall, shifted from the axis towards the west, barrel-and-groin vaults survive, and the rooms next to it had cloister vaults with lunettes. In the rear bay there was a winder staircase. The façade was divided by flat pilasters, and above the entrance to the larger hall a stone cartouche with the coat of arms of the von Wrochem family survives. Some of the old window grilles have also survived.

Practical information

• Location: ul. Kozielska, Brzeźnica.
• This is a ruin, so visiting the interiors is not recommended, and the condition of the site is worth checking before a visit.
• Nearby is the Water Mill in Brzeźnica (about 1 km), and a little further the Łężczok nature reserve and Racibórz Castle.