Wielopolski Palace in Chroberz

In Chroberz on the Nida river stands a late neoclassical palace designed by Henryk Marconi for Margrave Aleksander Wielopolski, 13th holder of the Pińczów entail (a family estate passed down undivided). The palace and park, built in 1857–1860, have seen a battle of the January Uprising, the commandant of the Treblinka camp and Filip Bajon's film crew. Today the interiors – including a ballroom with its original coffered ceiling – can be visited free of charge by prior booking.

History: the new centre of the estate

Tradition says the village takes its name from Bolesław the Brave, Poland's first king, who supposedly built a stronghold here. In the 17th century Chroberz belonged to the Myszkowski family's Pińczów entail. When the last holders, the Wielopolskis, sold Pińczów in the early 19th century to pay off debts, Chroberz became the estate's main seat. The palace was built to Marconi's design; Wielopolski fitted it out with, among other things, a library holding his own books and the collection inherited from Konstanty Świdziński. The family lived here until the Second World War.

Insurgents, the SS and cinema

During the January Uprising of 1863 against Russian rule, troops under Marian Langiewicz were quartered in the palace, and on 17 March 1863 the insurgents fought a battle with the Russians at Chroberz. Around 15 August 1944 an SS unit of about 50 men moved into the palace under Theodor van Eupen, commandant of the camp at Treblinka, who brutally forced local people to dig trenches. In 2000 Filip Bajon shot scenes for his film "Przedwiośnie" ("The Spring to Come") in the palace and park.

What to see

• The facade with its central projection – entrance, a balcony with three arches and four statues on the attic.
• The ballroom with its original coffered ceiling.
• The school's Room of National Memory and Farming Tradition, run by the local agricultural school.
• The park and chapel – listed as historic monuments together with the palace.
• Nearby: the Church of the Assumption from 1550, with Renaissance tombs by Jan Michałowicz of Urzędów.

Tripto tip

After the war the palace housed an agricultural school, and since 2004 part of it has been home to the Ponidzie Cultural Heritage Centre. Today it belongs to the agricultural school complex in Chroberz – according to Radio Kielce, visits are free and bookings are taken by the school office (tel. +48 41 356 40 03). Groups can be up to 60 people. Visits have been suspended in the past, so call before you go. Allow about 1 hour for the palace and park, then look in at the Renaissance church.