Palaces

Goetz Palace in Brzesko

At 6 Jana Goetza Okocimskiego Street in Brzesko stands one of the finest examples of Polish industrial-era residences from the turn of the 20th century — the Goetz Palace, called the „New Palace". It was built in 1898–1900 on the initiative of Jan Albin Goetz, owner of the Okocim brewery, known as the „king of beer", a philanthropist and patron of the arts.

A residence by the brewery

The name was no accident — nearby stood an older palace, built by the founder's father, Jan Ewangelista, on the brewery grounds. The new residence took a neo-Baroque form with neo-Rococo accents: two side wings were joined to the main body by galleries, and the interiors held furniture, fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, paintings and hunting trophies from the hunts of Jan Albin and his son Antoni Jan.

The 20th century

In 1944 the palace was taken over by the State Treasury; until 2002 it housed general and economics secondary schools, after which the building stood empty. Eventually the Goetz heirs bought it back under the right of pre-emption and sold it on to new owners.

In practice

After thorough renovation the palace now hosts the Pałac Goetz Boutique Hotel & Spa with a restaurant — the park gates open daily, and the building can be visited during a stay or a meal. The residence is surrounded by a historic landscape park in the English style with old trees. Current information: palacgoetz.pl.