The Żeleńskis Palace in Grodkowice

Monuments

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Grodkowice 1, 32-015 Kłaj Tourist region: Kraków i okolice

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The palace, which was the seat of the Żeleński family that lived in the village of Grodkowice since the 17th century, is today one of the most exciting sights in the Bocheński district.

The brick and light stone palace was built in 1902 on a near-square plan. The architect enriched the compact shape of the two-story building with a corner, diagonally positioned tower, loggias and a veranda on the garden side; he also emphasised the lowered height of the corner, ground-floor kitchen area. Externally, the walls are decorated with a modest brick frieze and smooth stonework framing the windows, doors and loggia. The tower bears the date of construction and a plaque above the main entrance to the palace with the sentence: ‘Sibi amico et posteritati’ (’To oneself, friend and posterity’). This entrance leads to a centrally located, five-storey vestibule, which is flanked by a wooden porch at the height of the second storey. The vestibule has entrances to the individual rooms, the kitchen area, and the staircase leading to the first floor.

The earliest mention of Grodkowice dates back to 1270. In the 17th century, Stanisław Żeleński purchased the entire estate and several surrounding villages from the Lanckorońskis. In 1670, his son built a wooden manor house, which was demolished in 1903. The estate flourished from the 19th century onward. In 1902, Władysław Żeleński built a brick palace designed by the well-known Kraków architect Teodor Talowski. The last owner of the palace was Karol Żeleński. After the Second World War, the nationalised estate was home to the Plant Breeding and Acclimatisation Institute. Today, the palace hosts receptions, corporate events, concerts, and exhibitions. Built in red brick and stone in an eclectic style, it features a garden façade with a three-sided avant-corp, loggias, and a corner tower. The palace hill overlooks the Niepołomice Forest and the Foothills, with the Raba River flowing nearby. There are old trees in the palace park. At its edge, on the site of the former gate, stands an iron cross commemorating Marcjan Żeleński, who was murdered in 1846 during the Galician robbery.

Near the palace, surrounded by a park, there are still many interesting outbuildings that once made up the extensive manor complex, including foursomes, cowsheds, stables and a granary.

The well-known writer Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński spent his holidays in Grodkowice.