Morąg Palace

The Morąg Palace, also known as the Dohna Castle, is a historic building constructed between 1562 and 1571 in the Baroque style on the site of Gothic town walls by the Prussian noble family zu Dohna. The building has been renovated multiple times and currently houses the Johann Gottfried Herder Museum, a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The palace is located in the center of Morąg, close to provincial roads and Lake Skiertąg. The zu Dohna family, with roots in Saxony, gained prominence in East Prussia from the 15th century onward, and their sphere of influence included many towns. In 1697, the palace was damaged by fire and was rebuilt between 1717 and 1719. The Baroque structure, surrounded by a small park, has a horseshoe-shaped layout and features minimally decorated façades and a conical tower. On the square in front of the palace stands a rare Baroque sundial from 1741, uncommon in this part of Poland. The museum inside the palace showcases the life and work of Johann Herder, as well as the art of the Ducal Prussia region. Exhibitions include both permanent and temporary displays related to the history of Prussia, along with a ballroom featuring original palace details. The Museum of Warmia and Mazury has owned the palace since 1986 and organizes various cultural events. The palace was listed in the register of historic monuments in 1953 and is currently well-maintained. In 1990, it hosted German President Richard von Weizsäcker.