Things to do in Świerklaniec
Świerklaniec is a village and municipal seat in Tarnowskie Góry County, on the Tarnowskie Góry Ridge in the Brynica valley, close to Tarnowskie Góry and Piekary Śląskie. It is best known for the former residence of the Henckel von Donnersmarck family, one of the wealthiest industrial dynasties of Upper Silesia. What survives of the estate is a large landscape park with sculptures, the Cavalier's Palace and the Church of the Good Shepherd with its chapel and mausoleum, while only traces remain of the palace once called Little Versailles. In neighbouring Nakło Śląskie you will find the neo-Gothic Donnersmarck palace, now the Centre of Silesian Culture, and in Orzech romantic tower ruins. The village borders the Kozłowa Góra reservoir, and Lake Nakło-Chechło with its beach is nearby. Half a day covers the park and palaces, a full day with time by the water. Come by car or bus from Tarnowskie Góry or Katowice.
Map of attractions in Świerklaniec
All 11 places on one map: see what is close together and plan your route.
All attractions (11)
Palaces
Silesian Culture Centre in Nakło Śląskie
Świerklaniec
The white Neo-Gothic palace with a tall tower in Nakło Śląskie looks more like a Tudor-era English residence than a typical Silesian palace. It was built in 1856–1858 by Count Hugo I Henckel von Donnersmarck, one of the richest industrial…
Other
Hubertus Festival in Świerklaniec
Świerklaniec
The Cavalry Hubertus in Świerklaniec is an autumn festival of foresters, hunters and riders held in the historic park of the former Donnersmarck residence. In 2024 it reached its 26th edition, organised by the municipality together with th…
Lakes
Nakło-Chechło Lake
Świerklaniec
As late as the 1960s, excavators were at work here, digging sand used to backfill underground coal mine workings. Today Nakło-Chechło Lake (officially Jezioro Chechło-Nakło) is a body of water of about 90 hectares surrounded by pine forest…
Churches & monasteries
Church of the Good Shepherd, Świerklaniec
Świerklaniec
In the northern part of the park in Świerklaniec, away from where the Donnersmarcks' "little Versailles" once stood, rises a neo-Gothic church linked by a cloister to the family mausoleum. The tomb's roof is crowned by an angel of beaten c…
Churches & monasteries
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Nakło Śląskie
Świerklaniec
The brick church in Nakło Śląskie looks as if someone had combined a Romanesque Revival church with a Byzantine dome. It was founded by Count Lazarus IV Henckel von Donnersmarck, who paid about 90% of the building costs and had a family ma…
Historic sites
Donnersmarck Mausoleum in Nakło Śląskie
Świerklaniec
On the north side of the neo-Romanesque church in Nakło Śląskie stands a small brick building on a Greek-cross plan, with a heraldic cartouche above the entrance. It is the family mausoleum of the Catholic line of the Henckel von Donnersma…
Palaces
Donnersmarck Palace in Nakło Śląskie
Świerklaniec
The palace in Nakło Śląskie looks as if it had been lifted from the English countryside: Tudor-style neo-Gothic, stepped gables and a slender tower raised in 1891. It was built by one of Upper Silesia's richest industrialists, Count Hugo I…
Palaces
Świerklaniec Palace
Świerklaniec
Świerklaniec Palace, known as the Little Versailles, was one of the grandest residences in Europe of its day – and it has been gone for more than half a century. Built in 1868–1875/1876 for Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, it burned down in…
Gardens
Świerklaniec Park
Świerklaniec
Around 200 hectares of greenery, more than 8 ha of ponds and canals, and avenues laid out in the spirit of Peter Joseph Lenné: Świerklaniec Park is one of the finest landscape parks in Upper Silesia. It was the setting of the Henckel von D…
Landmarks
Romantic tower ruins in Orzech
Świerklaniec
On a wooded hill east of Orzech, a village in the Świerklaniec municipality, stands a round stone tower that many take for the remains of a medieval castle. In fact it is an artificial ruin, most probably built in the 19th century as a gar…
Lakes
Kozłowa Góra Reservoir (Lake Świerklaniec)
Świerklaniec
Kozłowa Góra Reservoir, also called Lake Świerklaniec, was built in the 1930s as… an anti-tank obstacle. In the event of war it was meant to flood the Brynica valley in front of the fortifications of the Silesia Fortified Area. Today it is…