A wedding in a secret garden, in a ballroom, or a romantic weekend in a prince’s apartment? For such events, you need a palace and even a whole park and a palace complex! There are also other occasions that one would like to celebrate by staying in an exceptional place: an important conference with the participation of honorary guests, a bachelor party, the first Christmas together, Easter or an important jubilee deserve a special setting.
Neglected during the communist time, playing the roles inconsistent with their intended use – from state-owned offices, schools and clinics to warehouses, after the transformation they fell into private hands and (if it was a lucky chance) regained their former glory. Some of them are available only to the owners and their friends, but some open their doors and their guests can feel like they are in a fairy tale. The heroine of the Fredro comedy could today, instead of crocodile, even demand” „If you do not want my loss, take me to the palace, please!”
The Odrowąż Palace in Chlewiska
It is a magical place with 900 years of history and an extraordinary patron – St. Jacek Odrowąż, who according to legend, fed the poor with what he knew best, hence his nickname „St. Jacek with dumplings”. The palace is
located less than 10 km northwest of Szydłowiec.
The palace in Chlewiska is one of the oldest residences in Poland. The first owner, Szybota Stary Odrowąż, received the property in 1098 from Bolesław the Wrymouth. In 1121 the Odrowąż family built a church here and several years later a knights’ court. The next great families that owned the estate were the Chlewicki, Potkański, Sołtyk and Plater families.
Currently, the mail building of the residence in Chlewiska, is the 18th century place built on the 15th century castle, from which the Gothic cellars have survived to this day. The palace consists of two wings connected at right angles. There are 4 conference rooms, 18 single and double rooms with comfortable furnishings, a two room Odrowąż apartment with the area of 80m2 and a Drink Club in the Gothic cellars.
But that’s just the main building of the residence. A museum of sculptures of Slavic gods and gods was established in the former court cellars. Guests can also visit the former ammunition warehouse, ice shop and see an exhibition of old equipment, as well as visit two chapels of : St. Jacek Odrowąż and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Important for pet owners: in selected rooms of Stajnia Platera you can check in with your pets, and the landscape park surrounding the palace is an ideal place for long walks. There is also a heliport in the vicinity of the residence.
Manor House SPA Hotel **** Odrowąż Palace ****
56 Czachowskiego Street
26-510 Chlewiska near Szydłowiec
+48/48/628 70 61
DOMANIOWSKI PALACE IN KONARY
The Domaniowski Palace was named after the beautiful Domaniowski Lagoon. A dozen or so years ago there was a manor house, ruined in the times of the Polish People’s Republic, a remnant of a nationalized and parceled out property. It was built in the 19th century for a fascinating person: a doctor and philanthropist, and the creator of the first medical journal in the Kingdom of Poland – Adam Bogumił Helbich.
The history of the farm in Konary, located about 25 km west of Radom, dates back to the 15th century, when the land belonged to the Firlej family. Later, the property was owned, among others, by Piotr Kochanowski, the father of the famous Jan of Czarnolas.
But getting back to Adam Helbich – orphaned by his father as a 10-year old – he lived off tutoring, and at the same time he studied so well that he received a scholarship from the city of Warsaw. It allowed him to study at the Medical School. He graduated with a master’s degree in medicine, surgery and obstetrics. He continued his medical studies in Berlin and Vienna, during the November Uprising he was a military doctor also a (doctor of Adam Asnyk’s father). He was Asnyk’s godfather and Asnyk got his first name after him. The owner of the medical practice in Warsaw treated the poor for free and found time to write articles for the Medical Weekly, which he founded together with Ludwik Natanson and Aleksander Le Brun. He settled in Konary as a pensioner in 1868 and treated the local peasants and Jews for free. He also dealt with beekeeping.
Helbich’s mansion, an image of poverty and despair at the beginning of the 12th century, was rebuilt, completely renovated and expanded into a two- story palace with five conference rooms, a restaurant, a spa salon and 42 single and double rooms. Families with children can use the studio with a bedroom and a living room equipped with a kitchenette.
In the vicinity of the palace there is Marina Domaniowska, a base of modern water equipment for surfing and wakeboarding. The Domaniowski Lagoon is called “Domaniowski Sea” for a reason – the artificial reservoir has an area of 500 hectares, so there is a lot of space for practicing water sports. Cyclists and Nordic walking enthusiasts can also spend their time actively here – the picturesque area with marked paths encourages longer trips.
The Domaniowski Palace
Resert & Conference ****
Konary 8, 26 – 432 Wieniawa
48 312 11 15
ŁOCHÓW PALACE AND FARM
Łochów is a palace from the beginning of the 19th century located about halfway between Wyszków and Węgrów, in the valley of the lower Bug, on the picturesque meandering Liwiec River, in the village of Łochów. The village dates back to the deep Middle Ages. In fact, at first it was a noble manor house with a characteristic column portico built on the border of Mazovia and Podlasie, commissioned by Count Józef Hornowski. Successive owners extended it with two – story projections, and the manor house was transformed into a palace. The neo – Gothic interiors enjoyed the hosts: Downarowicz, Zamoyski and Kurnatowski. And under Hornowski, the uncle of Cyprian Kamil Norwid, the author of „Chopin’s Piano” also used to stay here.
The estate of Łochów is not only a palace, but also a farm that developed intensively thanks to the Paris – Petersburg railway running through the town. The Hornowski family owned a brewery, a distillery, a brickyard, a water mill and a sawmill. In the inter war period, Łochów became famous for horse breeding.
In 1945, the property was nationalized and farm workers settled in the palace. Some of the farm buildings were demolished, the rest were devastated and it was only in 2004 that the slow revitalization of the palace and park complex started. Today it is a valued conference and leisure center.
There are 11 conference rooms on the premises of the complex, and 7 of them are historical lounges, perfect for scientific or diplomatic disputes. Guests can also take advantage of the ballroom, 2 restaurants and a drink bar, so it is an ideal place for weddings, weddings anniversaries, hen and stag parties and other special events, and even fairs. Technical conditions allow service groups of even 700 people.
For lovers of games there is a bowling alley, and for those seeking spa treatments – a relaxation zone that has a room for children. Great care is offered to children, who can find a room with a playground, a mini zoo, furniture adapted to their height and a children’s menu.
The Conference and Leisure Center Palace and Farm in Łochów
http://www.palacifolwarklochow.pl/
1 Maria Konopnicka
07-130 Łochów
+48 25 675 11 14
+48 25 740 97 82
MAŁA WIEŚ PALACE
A trip to the Mała Wieś Palace, 50 km south of Warsaw and less than 8 km from Grójec, is an opportunity to get to know the flavors of Grójec region: apple borscht and local ciders, as well as such culinary wonders as duck pate with onion marmalade, roasted cabbage in thyme with chestnuts and roasted corn or iris ice cream for dessert. The Polish cuisine with a modern twist and regional seasonal products from organic farming are the basis of the local restaurant Stara Wozownia.
It feels like home here as the place was built as a family house at the end of the 18th century by Bazyli Walicki, a friend and an advisor of King Stanisław August (the king visited the palace shortly after its construction).
Walicki could afford such a luxury, as his wife Róża nee Niroska brought a considerable fortune as a dowry. Walicki himself was not a poor man either – the office of the Rawka voivode provided him with at least a decent income.
The subsequent owners of the mansion designed by Hilary Szpilowski also belonged to powerful and distinguished families. The Zamoyski, Lubomirski and Morawski family, and in the independent Poland also popular actors, because the photogenic inside and outside “appeared” in the comedies „Ada! To nie wypada!”, „Pułkownik Kwiatkowski”, the melodrama „Trędowata” and the horror film „Widziadło”.
Guests can choose from apartments in historical buildings in the palace and its outbuildings, as well as in the modern Granary and Gardner’s House with loft and rustic rooms. Special guests, for example, newlyweds can use a prince’s suite.
The surroundings can delight every lover of nature and beautiful architectural, and garden compositions: the classic lines of the main building, the harmonious New Orangery, the restored historical layout of the French garden with the miracle of this place – a rose garden with ground floors of 3000 rose bushes. And finally the Modrzewina reserve is a perfect place for all senses, body and soul to rest. You do not need to rent a room here to get to know the greatest attractions of the park and palace complex in Mała Wieś. On Saturdays and Sundays and public holidays, you can visit the palace, as well as – additionally – the park and gardens.
Especially for children there is a wooden playground with a house prepared. The excess energy can also be discharged on the football pitch or while cycling (you can use the rental shop). There is also a playroom in the hotel in case it is raining. Adults will probably be more interested in the hidden wellness and spa chamber.
The Mała Wieś Palace
Mała Wieś 40
905-622 Belsk Duży
+48 782 404040
+48 332 26 70
ZEGRZYŃSKI PALACE
A beautiful classicist palace in Zegrze, just 30km from Warsaw, was also called the Krasiński Palace, Radziwiłł Palace or the Palace of the Generals. There is a historical story behind each name. It was Count Stanisław Krasiński who had the palace built in the first half of the 19th century. His heir, Jadwiga Krasińska, married Maciej Radziwiłł and brought the state in Zegrze as a dowry of one of the largest aristocratic families.
The joy of the property did not last long. The Russian authorities decided that in the strategically important place, Zegrze, there would be a fortress located – one of many creating the Warsaw Fortified Region. The Radziwiłł Palace was bought from the Polish owners and transformed into a summer residence for the commanders of the fortress and WRU. The next tenants were therefore Russian generals, hence the name – the Palace of Generals. Apparently, at the end of the 19th century, during the inspection of the fortifications, Tsar Nicholas II visited the place.
The tradition of the Palace has survived primarily in the restaurant menu that focuses on the Polish cuisine including home made dumplings. One of the dishes served at the former magnate’s residence is „Pike perch a la Radziwiłł”.
The Zegrze Palace is an intimate place for small conferences. The building has 4 conference rooms for engagements, weddings, communions and other occasional parties. Guest can use 15 rooms, including 4 suites, an orangery, a fireplace room, a cafe, restaurant, billiards, view of the Zegrze Lagoon, and a beautiful park with old trees around. It is a real oasis of peace, just less than half an hour from Waraw.
The Zegrze Palace
3 Prof. Janusz Groszkowski Street
05-131 Zegrze
+48 22 793 12 75
