Palac Krowiarki; the legend
- January 02, 2025 - Journeys
visiting palac krowiarki
One of the most impressive palaces I have ever had the privilege to see, situated in a breathtaking country. The palace of Krowiarki boasts a rich and complex history, intertwined with the fate of prominent magnate families from Upper Silesia, such as the Strachwitz, Gaschin, and Donnersmarck families. As early as 1678, a modest wooden castle owned by the Beess family graced the village of Krowiarki. In 1826, Ernest Joachim Strachwitz took the initiative to replace the wooden structure with a new stone palace. Over time, this building evolved into an architectural masterpiece with refined neo-Gothic elements.
It was in 1856 when Wanda von Gaschin’s romantic relationship with Hugo II Henckel von Donnersmarck brought the palace into the ownership of the Henckel von Donnersmarck family. Unexpected events, such as the fire of 1892, necessitated the reconstruction and expansion of the palace in Art Nouveau style. The estate remained in the family’s possession until the end of World War II. Despite the challenges of the war, the palace survived intact.
From 1947, it served various purposes over time: first as the headquarters of the School for Political Activism, then as a State Orphanage, a kindergarten, and later a Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Hospital. The impressive two-hundred-year-old building has steadily fallen into disrepair since the end of World War II. Numerous changes in ownership influenced the building’s transformation, evolving slowly from a wooden stronghold into a palatial structure.
Visits never to forget
Over the past 24 months, I have visited the palace twice—once during the summer months and the second time in winter. I can tell you, the winters here are extremely cold. However, each season casts its own unique light, adding a different dimension to the experience. On both occasions, I was utterly captivated by the architecture, marveling at the thoughtful design and construction of the entire structure. Urbex photo's in this blog about Palac Krowiarki are taken during those two visits.
The Legend of Countess Gaschin
The history of the palace is not only marked by grandeur but also shrouded in secrets and dark tales. One of the most intriguing legends is that of Countess Gaschin. According to the story, the emperor once requested Count Gaschin to house a detachment of soldiers in the palace. The countess, however, vehemently protested, declaring that she would rather host two hundred dogs than Prussian soldiers. Offended by her remark, the emperor commanded her to acquire the dogs, a demand to which she complied without hesitation.
From that moment on, the countess became enveloped in an aura of mystery and fear. At night, she would ride through the surrounding forests on a white horse, illuminated by moonlight, hunting for game. During one of these nocturnal expeditions, legend has it, she accidentally shot off two of her fingers. At her own request, these were replaced with golden prosthetics. Her wild nighttime escapades left a deep impression on the local populace, who to this day speak of her ghostly apparition. According to the legend, her restless spirit still gallops across the countryside, a chilling reminder of her dark legacy.
After the countess’s death, local residents claim that her spirit appears at night on a white horse. She was recognized by her golden fingers, which gleamed in the moonlight. When the countess went hunting, dogs from nearby villages would join her.
