Cavalier's Palace

The Knight's Palace, also known as the Knight's House, is a historic building in Świerklaniec, constructed between 1903 and 1906 in the French Neo-Baroque style and designed by Ernst von Ihne. A distinctive feature of the palace is its impressive staircase and luxurious interiors, including American Royal bathtubs, oak parquet flooring, and marble floors. At the center of the building, an inscription reads "Memento vivere," encouraging the enjoyment of life. The palace is surrounded by a picturesque 185-hectare French-style park, which enhances the estate's aesthetic appeal. The history of the building is linked to the Donnersmarck family, for whom the residence was built with the intention of hosting Wilhelm II during his hunting visits to Świerklaniec. Nearby stood another palace, now vanished, referred to as the "Little Versailles." From 1924 to 1937, the Knight's Palace served as the residence of Felix Calonder, Chairman of the Mixed Commission for Upper Silesia. After World War II, the partially damaged palace was rebuilt and, in the 1950s, taken over by the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK), which converted it into a tourist hostel, restaurant, and café. It also functioned as a training center for the mining industry. Today, it operates as a hotel and restaurant. The Knight's Palace remains an important part of the region's cultural heritage, attracting visitors with its unique architectural features and rich history.