The ruins of the Opaliński Palace in Radlin

The ruins of the Opaliński Palace in Radlin are the remains of a residence built between 1570 and 1592 by Andrzej Opaliński, the Grand Marshal of the Crown. The palace was surrounded by a garden and a chapel, which bore witness to the splendor of this estate during the late 16th and 17th centuries. After Andrzej Opaliński's death in 1593, the property passed into the hands of his descendants, including Piotr Opaliński, the Crown Pantler, and later his grandson and great-grandson, both also named Piotr. In 1700, the palace was acquired by Ludwika Opalińska, who married Jan Kazimierz Sapieha. Their marriage transformed the palace into a Sapieha estate for nearly 100 years, marking the beginning of its gradual decline, which was further exacerbated by an unfinished renovation started in 1730. In 1791, Kazimierz Nestor Sapieha sold the palace to the German Kalkreuth family, and in 1840, Władysław Radoliński, the owner of Jarocin, ordered the demolition of the palace. Only a few fragments of the walls have survived to this day. The former palace garden now serves as a cemetery, adding another layer of historical significance to the site. The palace and its history exemplify the architectural and historical transformations that took place in Poland from the 16th century onward, and they reflect the cultural heritage of aristocratic families in the region. Interestingly, despite the palace's decline, its history remains an important part of local identity, attracting the attention of researchers and history enthusiasts.