Pławniowice
Pławniowice | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Palace (built 1882-1884) | |
  Pławniowice | |
| Coordinates: 50°23′N 18°28′E / 50.383°N 18.467°E | |
| Country |  Poland |
| Voivodeship | Silesian |
| County | Gliwice County |
| Gmina | Rudziniec |
| Population | 824 |
Pławniowice [pwavɲɔˈvit͡sɛ] (German: Plawniowitz) is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Rudziniec, within Gliwice County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland.[1] It lies approximately 6 kilometres (4 mi) north-east of Rudziniec, 19 km (12 mi) north-west of Gliwice, and 41 km (25 mi) west of the regional capital Katowice.
The village has a population of 824.
History
Sources claim that the history of the Pławniowice village dates back to as early as 1317, however, the area was mostly a scenic woodland next to a large lake until 1737, when it was bought by a nobleman called Franz Wolfgang von Stechow. In 1789 it passed through a marriage to the wealthy noble clan of the Ballestrems, who built a fairy tale palace between 1882 and 1884.[2] Designed by Constantine Heidenreich, the palace is a three-wing structure in the architectural style of Dutch neo-mannerism. It is known for its "contrast in colour and texture between the red brick walls and ornamental stone edging".[3] The roofs are adorned by various turrets, towers, dormers and needles of different shapes and sizes. Moreover, the palatial site is also adjacent to a carefully planned landscape park alongside a water canal.
The palace remained in the hands of the Ballestrems until the end of World War II when it was abandoned as the Red Army quickly approached the village. The palace was then looted and the lavish interiors were devastated. Following the war, the palace was owned by the Polish state and was neglected, which contributed to its deteriorated over time. Since 1993 it has undergone full renovation and is now a local tourist attraction.[3]
References
- ^ "Central Statistical Office (GUS) - TERYT (National Register of Territorial Land Apportionment Journal)" (in Polish). 2008-06-01.
- ^ "Palace, Pławniowice - Zabytek.pl". zabytek.pl. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Pławniowice - Further Afield - Katowice". www.inyourpocket.com. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
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