the King's Speech
Shrouded in mystery, these incredible abandoned palaces and castles… these exquisite palaces ended up deserted by their owners. With respect for the former owners I’ve entered these premises. Built to last, built to impress, built with style and grandeur – it is all the more remarkable when the most ostentatious of buildings fall into disrepair. That's when they become so interesting to me.
A SENSE OF MYSTERY
Abandoned castles evoke a sense of mystery, history, and a touch of melancholy. These once majestic structures, now left to decay, often hold fascinating stories of the past. Throughout Europe and other parts of the world, there are many abandoned castles that have captured the imagination of people.
These abandoned castles not only offer a glimpse into the architectural styles of the past but also ignite curiosity about the events and lives that once took place there. While some buildings may be in a state of disrepair, they continue to captivate visitors with their beauty and the air of mystery that surrounds them.
Renovation and revitalization
Castles often exhibit distinct architectural features. They typically include thick stone walls, towers, battlements, and sometimes moats. The layout varies depending on the castle’s purpose, such as a fortress, palace, or combination of both. Inner courtyards, great halls, living quarters, and dungeons were common elements found within castles.
They are the true hidden gems.
Castles were designed with defense in mind. They often incorporated strategic features such as
drawbridges, gatehouses, arrow slits, murder holes, and defensive walls to protect against sieges and attacks. Some castles also had concentric rings of fortifications to increase their defensive capabilities. Old castles are often surrounded by legends, folklore, and tales of knights, kings, and princesses.
They have inspired numerous stories, including those of battles, royal intrigues, ghostly apparitions
and hidden treasures. These legends add to the allure and mystique surrounding old castles.
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.
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.
