is an original series created by Joanna Leśniak. In her journalistic stories, the author takes us to less known corners of Poland and Europe, in search of what is worth seeing, hearing and tasting. Her stories include not only her own experiences, but also those of local residents and interesting facts found in guidebooks.
Are you looking for a place for an unusual holiday, a long weekend or a city break? Get on the road with us.
When you first enter the vast estate, you immediately get the impression that it is a place with a lot to tell. Numerous stories are hidden both in the basement, in the sumptuous interiors and in the garden. King Stanisław August Poniatowski once walked through the area, today buffalo rule here. Confusion and confusion? It turns out that one location can connect completely different worlds.
Castle or palace? The word “renovation” was declined here in all cases
The first mention of the village appears in 1246 in a document of the Duke of Sandomierz and Krakow, Bolesław the Chaste. However, it was not a time of absolute splendor, but rather humble beginnings. It was only in the second half of the 14th century that the Krakow castellan – Dobiesław Kurozwęcki – started building a castle in the area where until then there had been a rather unimpressive wooden stronghold. A brick wall and a residential tower appeared.
Over time and with changes in owners (Kurozwęki belonged to the Lanckoroński, Sołtyk and Popiel families), the rather unrepresentable castle transformed into an increasingly impressive palace. The building is considered to be . A real construction site. First, a modest wooden and brick residence, then a fortified manor, and then a baroque-classical residence where balls worthy of kings were held. And this is not narrative exaggeration. King Stanisław August Poniatowski was said to have danced and reveled at the court in Kurozwęki in 1787, so it is easier to imagine the importance of the estate and its opulence at that time.
All good things come to an end and the Palace in Kurozwęki learned this the hard way. After World War II, the estate was taken over by the state, for which keeping it in good condition was not, to put it mildly, a priority. and would probably share the fate of many forgotten castles and palaces, if not for the fact that fortune can be perverse.
In 1989, efforts to regain the family estates were made by their pre-war owner – miter priest Marcin Popiel, and finally, on behalf of the entire family, the palace and part of the park were bought by another family member – Jean Martin Popiel. The next renovation works in the long history of the palace began in 1992, and it was then that a completely new era began for the Palace in Kurozwęki. Determination, inventiveness and probably huge financial outlays made it what it is today. It is not only a historical building, but also a functional one – part of its interior has been turned into a hotel.
Like the wild west. Where did bison come from in Kurozwęki?
Here are two showcases of Kurozwęki – a majestic palace and game, which are automatically associated with the atmosphere of western movies. Although show ponies could probably be more associated with a magnate estate, the owners opted for something more sophisticated. This turned out to be a bull’s-eye, because they make it a place not only for history and architecture enthusiasts, but also for those who love contact with nature, even the non-obvious nature. Well, where do buffaloes come from in the Polish countryside?
When renovation works in the palace resulted in the building regaining its former glory, it was time to take care of the area around it. You can make alleys, you can put fountains, but for the new owners it was not enough. In December 2000, the first bison were imported for breeding and agritourism purposes.
However, they did not come from the United States, known as the homeland of the western and the prairies, but from Belgium. The small herd has grown significantly, and today it lives in specially separated pens. Since the area is really large, walking around the fence makes for a solid walking tour. It is worth taking comfortable shoes and sports clothes, because sometimes you have to wade through tall grass. . More inquisitive people can opt for the additionally paid attraction “bison safari”, get into a special car and go inside the enclosure.
Tangles of labyrinths, i.e. attractions in Kurozwęki
What is worth seeing in Kurozwęki? Proud buffaloes strolling against the background of the palace, inside which we will visit cellars dating back to the 14th century, a knights’ hall, a library, a chapel, a ballroom and living rooms where the former owners lazily spent their time. However, the attractions of the complex do not end there.
Before we go on safari, we can visit the mini zoo. Tourists are attracted by seasonal attractions, available from spring to autumn. It enjoys great fame. In an area of 4.5 hectares, there are points necessary to solve the puzzles received with the map and ticket. Importantly, it is located in a labyrinth, so you are left to your own creativity and sense of orientation. There is also an observation tower in the center, which allows you to expand your perspective while sightseeing. A slightly less complex and demanding field game can also be organized in the beech maze.
What is worth knowing before arrival?
. It should be mentioned that entry to the palace is subject to a fee (normal ticket is PLN 10), and each attraction is charged additionally. You can use a combined ticket for a complete experience. However, I suspect that the overall offer will be most interesting for families with children.
Did mazes and petting zoos help me bring out my childish spirit of adventure? Not really. I still look at the accumulation of attractions from so many different fairy tales from the perspective of an adult, for whom such a mishmash is in a sense chaos and probably a way to increase profits. This is understandable, after all, maintaining the facility is probably quite an investment. While the palace looks phenomenal and watching the bison is also fun, the thought of everything else makes me feel less nervous. However, I still claim that it is a heartwarming story about returns – not only to lost property, but also to heritage and tradition. A must-see when discovering Polish places.
– Sociology graduate, specializing in multimedia and social communication. Associated with Interia since 2021. Throughout her professional history, she has been dynamically exploring lifestyle trends for a long time. A lover of travel, quizzes and curiosities in various fields, who rarely lets her camera go.
