Pakoszów Palace

Pakoszów Palace

In the history of the Jeleniogórska Basin, especially in the late Middle Ages, production of linen played an important role. In the shade of the Karkonosze Mountains voiles were woven, thus, uniquely thin linen. Both Jelenia Góra and the whole region developed quite swiftly thanks to resourceful purchasers. Their material situation enabled raising sophisticated residences. One of them was the palace in Pakoszów (German: Schloss Wernersdorf), today’s district of the town Piechowice. The building was raised in 1725 at the initiative of Johan Martin Gottfried, mayor of Jelenia Góra. The palace was built on a rectangular layout and it was equipped in a mansard roof. Frederick II, king of Prussia, stayed in these premises three times.

Since 1771, the palace was in the hands of Heinrich Hess, a merchant and director of sugar refinery in Jelenia Góra. The building, apart from residential functions, was also used as linen blanching facility. Its formation was possible thanks to the release of the so-called water privilege by the Prussian king Frederick II in 1777 in line with which it was allowed to use water from the nearby Kamienna river. The palace started to be called the Hess Bleaching Factory. Artists, politicians and representatives of higher spheres used to meet in the building. After many years of oblivion and destruction the building was purchased by the grandson of the last pre-war owner.

Nowadays, a hotel and a restaurant are located within the beautifully renovated interiors. The palace may be visited accompanied by a tour guide after prior reservation.