The palace and park complex in Borkowice

The palace and park complex in Borkowice is a historic site that was once the seat of the Dembiński family. Its history dates back to the beginnings of the settlement in 1308, and over the centuries it was owned by many proprietors, including the Małachowski family. In 1885, the estate was acquired by the Dembińskis, who between 1903 and 1908 built a modern palace in a distinctive eclectic style with Neorenaissance, Neobaroque, and Classicist elements. Designed by Władysław Marconi and Zygmunt Hendel, the palace is a two-story structure with a usable attic, adorned with elegant facades and architectural details such as balconies on consoles and windows of various shapes. After the outbreak of World War II, the palace was seized by the Wehrmacht and later by Russian troops, leading to its destruction. After the war, it served as an agricultural school until 1987. In 1984, the complex was entered into the register of historic monuments, and since 2000 it has been owned by the Przysucha County Office, which, however, has not taken effective measures to secure and renovate the monument. Due to the building's catastrophic condition, between 2004 and 2006 the palace passed into private ownership, but the new authorities also struggled with issues related to the administration and conservation of the complex. Adjacent to the palace lies an English-style park covering an area of approximately 9.4 hectares, with unique specimens of ancient trees, such as a 300-year-old plane tree and a 200-year-old small-leaved lime. Despite changing owners, the palace and park complex in Borkowice faces numerous challenges related to the protection and future of this valuable cultural heritage. In 2023, the roof of the steward's building collapsed, highlighting the need for urgent rescue and conservation efforts. The palace and park complex, with its rich history, distinctive architecture, and majestic park, remains not only an important witness to the past but also the subject of ongoing efforts aimed at its further protection and utilization.