Palace in Żyrowa

The Palace in Żyrowa, located in the Opole Voivodeship, is a historic Baroque building constructed between 1631 and 1644, considered one of the largest early Baroque structures in the region. Built for the Żyrowski family, who received Żyrowa in 1447 from Emperor Frederick III, the palace passed through the hands of many owners, including Count Melchior Ferdinand von Gaschin, who built it in its current form, and his nephew Georg Adam von Gaschin, who carried out a renovation in 1781, changing the roof to a mansard style and adding a cloister. From 1852 onward, the palace changed owners frequently and fell into decline relatively quickly, until 1899 when it was purchased by an American millionaire for his daughter, leading to a thorough renovation and restoration of its former splendor. During World War II, the palace was used as a military archive of the Third Reich, but after the war, it was nationalized, and its interiors were devastated. In later years, it housed a children's sanatorium, and after its closure in 1982, it stood empty and ruined for many years. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the palace had various owners and underwent further reconstruction attempts. Architecturally, the building stands out with its quadrangular layout featuring an inner courtyard, a representative southern wing with symmetrical divisions, and distinctive towers with onion-shaped domes. The interiors retain some of the original decor, such as stuccowork, decorated staircases, and original doors. The palace also features the coats of arms of the Gaschin and von Francken-Sierstorpff families. Interestingly, in 1910, the palace hosted the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, and a year later, Emperor Wilhelm II. The palace is surrounded by a high brick wall with an entrance tower. Although the building has changed functions and owners over time, it still bears traces of its rich history and architectural significance.