Kopaszewo Palace

In 1831–1832 the poet Adam Mickiewicz stayed several times with the Skórzewski family in Kopaszewo, and according to the National Heritage Board parts of his epic "Pan Tadeusz" were written here. The Neoclassical palace of 1800–1801 stands in the heart of the General Dezydery Chłapowski Landscape Park, and on its axis runs an avenue of plane trees said to be the longest in Europe. The palace is not a museum, but the park, the avenue, the 1794 chapel and a 16 km Way of the Cross easily fill half a day.

History: from the Skórzewskis to the Chłapowskis

The village appears in records from at least 1386. Before 1714 it belonged to the Zakrzewski family, then became the Skórzewski family seat – the palace was built around 1800–1801 for Ludwik Skórzewski. In 1844 the estate was bought by General Dezydery Chłapowski, a hero of the Napoleonic Wars and the November Uprising, for his son Kazimierz; the family stayed until 1939. The Chłapowskis hosted the actress Helena Modrzejewska (Modjeska) here.

After a fire in 1886 the palace was rebuilt in 1892 and partly remodelled. A second major renovation in 1921–1923, by the general's grandson Mieczysław Chłapowski, removed the top of the tower and the terrace, changed the façade and slimmed the portico columns, and gave the house sewerage, running water, electricity, central heating and bathrooms. The Skórzewskis' inscription "Każdy w swoim guście" ("Each to his own taste") was restored above the entrance. After the war the estate was taken over by the state; today the palace houses the management of the DANKO seed company and a plant breeding station.

What to see

• Portico on four Ionic columns with a triangular pediment, and the "Każdy w swoim guście" inscription above the door.
• Avenue of plane trees from the early 19th century, running on the palace axis to the former farm – according to the National Heritage Board the longest in Europe.
• Park of 11.75 ha, remodelled in 1894 by Augustyn Denizot, with a lime avenue, yews and old oaks, including the "Mickiewicz oak".
• Chapel of 1794 funded by Ludwik and Teodora Skórzewski – Late Baroque, on an elongated octagonal plan, with a tower and four wooden statues of the Evangelists from the late 18th century.
• The palace drawing room keeps two Neoclassical stoves dated 1801.

The Kopaszewo Way of the Cross

It was funded by the estate owner Jan Koźmian after the tragic death of his wife Zofia, General Chłapowski's daughter, and consecrated on 3 October 1855. The route of about 16 km (some sources say about 20 km) starts and ends at the chapel (Stations I and XIV) and follows the old road towards Turew through Rogaczewo Wielkie to the church in Rąbiń and back. The stations stand in pairs in wayside shrines; they are cast-iron relief plaques brought from France. The originals are kept in the chapel, with copies along the route.

Tripto tip

The palace is an office building – according to the National Heritage Board the interiors can be seen by prior arrangement. Without an appointment you can see the building from outside and walk the plane-tree avenue. The Way of the Cross is better done by bike than on foot, as 16 km takes several hours to walk. Kopaszewo lies in Krzywiń municipality, Kościan County, inside the landscape park named after the general.