Zakrzewo Palace

The Zakrzewo Palace, built between 1870 and 1872 by Count Albin Belina Węsierski and architect Ludwik Ballenstaedt, is a 19th-century structure located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, forming part of the Gniezno County palace trail. The palace's architecture is characterized by a central mass adorned with Ionic columns and panoplies, giving it a classicist style. Above the dormer window, a cartouche with the Belina coat of arms is placed, and the balcony balustrade features a count's crown. The surrounding 16-hectare landscape park with a pond and stream was designed by gardener Augustyn Denizot, brought from France, who was renowned for establishing numerous parks and horticultural nurseries in the region. The palace not only served as a residence but also became an important cultural center, hosting trainings and meetings for prominent figures in politics and business, including Margaret Thatcher and Mary Robinson. In the pre-war era, the palace housed a rich collection of paintings, including works by Jan Piotr Norblin and Rubens. After World War II, the palace experienced turbulent times, including its conversion into a children's holiday camp. In 1990, it was taken over by Wielkopolski Bank Kredytowy and later by Santander Bank Polska, which established a training center there. In 2021, the palace was purchased by a private individual, opening new chapters in its history. Interestingly, the palace and its surroundings are significant examples of French influences in Polish architecture and horticulture.