Kozlowka Palace, Kozłówka, Poland

Kozłówka Palace is a large rococo and neoclassical palace complex of the Zamoyski family in Kozłówka. The palace was built between 1735 and 1742 and is one of Poland's official national Historic Monuments.

The original palace was built in the first half of 18th century for Michał Bieliński, voivode of Chełmno; its architect was Jozef II Fontana. It represents the characteristic type of baroque suburban residence built entre cour et jardin (between the entrance court and the garden). Its architecture is original - a merger of European art with old Polish building traditions. In 1799, the Palace was acquired by the aristocratic Zamoyski family. It belonged to the family up until 1944. The palace experienced a period of great prosperity during the times of Count Konstanty Zamoyski who remodelled the palace in order to turn it into one of the most monumental and representative magnate residences in Poland.

Between 1879 and 1907, the palace was rebuilt in Neo-Baroque style, the chapel was modified (modelled on the chapel at Versailles Palace); a theatre, a second outbuilding and an entrance gate were also added. The palace also features a unique sewers system from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, which made it possible for the owners of the property to have access to some of the earliest modern bathrooms in Europe.

In 1903, the Kozłówka entail was established by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, which meant that the property belonging to the Zamoyski family could not be sold or divided and automatically passed by law to the eldest heir.

From November 1944, when the last owners Count Aleksander Zamoyski and his wife Countess Jadwiga Zamoyska were forced to flee their palace, it became the property of the Communist regime, whose grip on Poland ended in 1989. It currently hosts the Zamoyski family museum.

The interiors of the palace were preserved despite the ravages of the German Nazi and Soviet Regimes from 1939 to 1989. The original opulent design and most of museum quality art from the Zamoyski family collections remain.

The surroundings of the palace also include a historic chapel, French Baroque garden, stables and a carriage house. The palace grounds also feature the Gallery of Socrealism, the largest collection of communist art in Poland featuring over 1,600 sculptures, paintings, drawings and posters.

References:

Wikipedia

Palaces, manors and town halls in Poland

Address

Kozłówka, Poland

See all sites in Kozłówka

Details

Founded: 1735-1742
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Poland

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.poland.travel

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Krakowska Gate (24,2 km)
St. John the Baptist Cathedral (24,3 km)
Lublin Castle (24 km)
St. Joseph's Church (24 km)
Majdanek Concentration Camp (27,6 km)

User Reviews

Max Back (6 months ago)
The Zamoyski Palace in Kozłówka is a treasure trove of history and art. Built in 1742 and later owned by the Zamoyski family, the palace underwent significant renovations by Konstanty Zamoyski between 1897 and 1914. The interiors boast authentic furnishings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Second Empire style. Reasons to visit: 1. Unique National Treasure: Among the best-preserved palaces in Poland, it offers a glimpse into 19th-century aristocratic life. 2. Original Interior: From the adorned palace hall to the stunning marble staircase, the interiors exude aristocratic charm. The Red Salon, White Salon, and Countess's Bedroom are particularly impressive. 3. Beautiful Tiled Stoves: The palace features ornate tile stoves for year-round comfort, adding to the aesthetic appeal. 4. Painting Gallery: Adorning the palace walls are around 460 paintings, depicting crucial moments in Polish history and family portraits. 5. Diverse Antique Furnishings: Unlike many reconstructed sites, Kozłówka's collection includes originals, showcasing the precise taste of the owners. 6. Additional Exhibits: Explore the Socialist Realism Art Gallery and the Chapel and Room of Cardinal Wyszyński. 7. Impressive Surroundings: The palace complex includes a theater, chapel, guest wing, terraces, two towers serving as water towers, and a beautiful garden. The palace tour provides insight into the Zamoyski family's remarkable history and the unique slogan "To mniey boli" displayed at the entrance, originating from a heroic ancestor's response during a medieval battle. Don't miss this extraordinary blend of history, art, and architecture!

Robert F. (IG: runcoholic) (7 months ago)
Late Baroque magnate/aristocratic residence. This place is truly incredible when looking at all their jaw-dropping artwork! An art gallery with impeccable taste representing some of the country's finest pieces. Definitely worth the trip! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in art, history and culture, whether you are a seasoned gallery-goer or a first-timer. Charming and helpful staff!!

Mateusz Kassjaniuk (9 months ago)
Beautiful place. Recommend to visit it if you have time. Entry to the palace is every 15 minutes and tour duration is about 1 hour with guide.

Angela Kirtley (11 months ago)
Lovely place to walk around and meet the peacocks

Ken Slocki (12 months ago)
Beautifully maintained palace in an often ignored area of Poland, the wonderful Lublin area. The estate's grounds & gardens are so inviting you'll have no trouble convincing family members of all ages to make a day of it just relaxing in the sun so pack a picnic, just bring enough to share for the peacocks (kids love them). Helpful tip if you are challenged linguistically. Read up on the history online before the tour and just enjoy the beauty of the rooms or pay the extra złoty for the English audio book. The tour guides really hurry you through each room due to all the group schedules. As such, there is very little wiggle room for translation time while simultaneously fighting to hear over the museums louder pa system, tour guide, etc. I personally enjoyed myself more using my limited Polish, reading beforehand, plus I made friends with the Polish people in the group; they always seem excited to practice their English with someone interested in the history of their country so my advice, skip the audio book and meet some nice people.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Kozlowka Palace