Palace and Park Complex in Krowiarki

The palace and park complex in Krowiarki in Racibórz County consists of a large 19th-century palace and a 17.5-hectare landscape park. The village lies in Pietrowice Wielkie municipality, and the palace belonged for centuries to families of the Silesian nobility.

From manor house to palace

A wooden manor house in Krowiarki was mentioned in 1678, and its owners at that time were the von Beess family. The brick palace was built in 1826 by Ernst Joachim Strachwitz. In 1852-1877 and 1882-1896 the building was reconstructed. In 1892 a fire destroyed its northern part, which was rebuilt in 1898 in the Art Nouveau style.

The owning families

The estate belonged in turn to the von Beess, Paczyński, Strachwitz and von Gaschin families. From 1877 it was held by Hugo II and Wanda Henckel von Donnersmarck, and after them by Edgar and Hans II Henckel-Gaschin von Donnersmarck.

The palace and park

The palace has an area of about 6,500 m², 30 cellars in the basement and 115 rooms on the ground and upper floors. Its architecture combines Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau with elements of Mannerism, Renaissance and Baroque. The park was laid out in the 17th century as a garden in the English style and was remodelled in 1852-1877. The complex was entered in the heritage register in 2009 under number A/238/09.

After 1945

After the war the palace housed in turn a Political Activists’ School, a children’s home and an orthopaedic rehabilitation hospital. Nearby stands the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Practical information

• Location: Krowiarki, Pietrowice Wielkie municipality, Racibórz County.
• What to expect: a historic complex seen mainly from outside; the rules of entry depend on the current user.
• Check the palace’s current use and the rules of entry to the grounds with the municipal office before your visit.