Baranowice Palace in Żory

Baranowice Palace at 97 Zamkowa Street in Żory is a restored residence in Upper Silesia whose history reaches back to the 17th century. It owes its present shape to a 19th-century rebuild by Emil von Durant, and after years of decay it has regained its former sheen: the comprehensive renovation was completed in 2023, with the official opening in October marked by a family picnic.

From school to culture

Like many Silesian palaces, after the war the building housed a school and then fell into ruin for years — its windows bricked up, its interiors wrecked. Today the city runs it as a cultural centre: the ground floor holds a permanent exhibition, while the upper floors host temporary exhibitions, concerts and workshops — from floristry to historical fencing — plus yoga and zumba classes.

A park with monumental oaks

The residence is surrounded by an English landscape park with old oaks recognised as natural monuments. The icehouse and farm buildings have been restored, bridges and small architecture added, and a family of storks has settled on the chimney.

In practice

The Charlotta restaurant operates all year round — its menu includes Silesian rolada, game and the „Durant tartare" nodding to the site's history. Baranowice is a district of Żory; about 3 km away is the Twinpigs educational farm, and some 17 km further the castle in Pszczyna. The palace's event programme is published on its profile.