Wąsowo Castle

The "New Castle" Palace in Wąsów is a historic structure built between 1870 and 1872 by Berlin architect Gustav Erdmann as a Neo-Gothic villa for banker Richard von Hardt. The building is situated next to the 18th-century Sczaniecki Palace, on a hill surrounded by a landscaped park with monumental trees, primarily oaks, lindens, and beeches. In preparation for a planned visit by Emperor Wilhelm II around 1900, the villa was remodeled into the form of a castle. The representative interiors of the ground floor are symmetrically arranged around a large hall, and access to the upper floor is provided by an impressive staircase. Since 1995, the castle has served as a hotel and restaurant, although part of it was damaged in a fire in 2011. After reconstruction, the building continues to operate as a hotel and conference complex. Externally, the palace is distinguished by its red brick facade, two side projections, and an in antis front featuring a large ground-floor window that once served as the entrance, as well as a pointed-arch tympanum with a relief of the von Hardt coat of arms. The palace is not only an example of Neo-Gothic architecture but also a significant element of the region's cultural heritage.