Wąsów Palace

The Palace in Wąsów, built between 1780 and 1786 for Sylwester Sczaniecki, is an example of classicism with baroque-classicist elements. Its rectangular plan and two-story structure with a high ground floor and a low upper floor are adorned with a hipped roof. The front of the palace features a three-axis projection with giant order pilasters and a triangular pediment displaying the Ogończyk coat of arms of the Skórzewski family and the Ossoria coat of arms of the Sczaniecki family. The interior is organized along a central axis, which includes an entrance hall, a staircase, and a main salon, while the remaining rooms have been converted into hotel accommodations. After the death of their parents, Emilia Sczaniecka and her siblings moved in with their grandparents, Anastazja and Sylwester Sczaniecki. Following the division of the family estate, the properties in Wąsów and Brody were inherited by Konstanty Sczaniecki, who sold them in 1860 to Ludwik Lewiniec. Lewiniec later transferred the estate to a Berlin-based banker, Richard von Hardt. Nearby stands the so-called "new" palace, constructed in 1872. Since 1995, the palace has been privately owned. The current owner has successfully restored the building, preserving its historical architecture and decorative elements, and transformed it into a hotel and restaurant complex. An interesting fact is that the connection to the Sczaniecki family and their inherited coats of arms remains an important part of the local cultural identity. Conservation efforts have reintegrated the palace into the social life of the region, making it an attractive destination for both tourists and locals.