Pałac w Kowarach – usytuowany w północnej części miasta przy ul. Ogrodowej.

Fundatorem tzw. Pałacu Miejskiego prawdopodobnie był bogaty patrycjusz. Wiadomo, że nosił inicjały E.M., które znajdują się w kluczu w portalu. Pałac wzniesiono w latach 20. XVIII w., datowanie oparto na analizie detalu architektonicznej oraz dekoracji wnętrza. Autorem projektu przypuszczalnie był budowniczy wywodzący się z Jeleniej Góry lub Cieplic. Pierwsze przekazy ikonograficzne ukazujące pałac znalazły się na grafikach Friedricha Bernarda Wernhera około roku 1746. Właścicielem pałacu na początku XIX w. prawdopodobnie zostaje właściciel powstałej w 1804 r. fabryki, przekształconej w połowie XIX w. w Kowarską Fabrykę Dywanów Smyrneńskich. Około roku 1888 r. pałac zostaje gruntownie wyremontowany. Obecnie obiekt jest własnością prywatną, znajduje się w nim hotel.

Pałac na planie prostokąta, bryła zwarta, 2-kondygnacyjny, przekryty czterospadowym dachem. Na kondygnacji pierwszej sień przekryta czteroprzęsłowym sklepieniem krzyżowym, pozostałe sale nakryte sklepieniami lunetowymi. Piętro przebudowano prócz korytarza zamkniętego sufitem z fasetą, ozdobioną ornamentem ramowym. Do obecnych czasów w pierwotnego wyposażenia zachowała się kuta krata umieszczona ponad portalem w naświetlu oraz drzwi piętra ujęte w bogato profilowane obramienia.

Palace in Kowary

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The village of Karpniki, situated at the foot of the Sokole Mountains, is mentioned for the first time in the 14th century. The Castle, whose history dates back to the 15th century, lies amidst the picturesque scenery of the mountainous landform and the surrounding hills and is connected with distinguished Silesian families. One of the first owners of the fortified building, surrounded by a moat, was Cunze von Predel. In 1476 the old, distinguished Schaffgotsch family took possession of the property. Hans Schoff called Gotsche was the first in the family who became the landlord of the Karpniki property. Apart from Karpniki he also possessed the nearby properties Kamienica and Chojnik. The estate remained in the hands of the Schaffgotsch family until 1580. Possession of the Castle changed hands several times and in 1725 it became the property of the Schaffgotsch family again. After Count Franz Wilhelm von Schaffgotsch died childless in 1774 the Karpniki property passed into the hands of the royal administration, and, three years later in February 1777, it became part of the property of the Krzeszów Cistercian monastery. In 1784 the estate was purchased by Count Friedrich Wilhelm von Reden, and in 1787 Karl Georg Heinrich Count von Hoym is mentioned as the owner, who in turn sold the property to Caspar Conrad of the von Zedlitz family.
The Karpniki estate remained in the hands of the von Zedlitz family until 1822, when its last owner Freiherr Otto von Zedlitz und Neukirch sold the property to the King of Prussia` s brother Wilhelm von Preussen and his wife Princess Marianne. It was the Hohenzollern family who made the property famous and had the biggest influence on the present shape of the Castle building. Straight after the purchase of the property, the first renovation works took place. Their aim was to adapt the Castle for the Prince`s family needs. On one side of the courtyard, at the first floor level, a gallery in Neo-Gothic style was erected, thus enabling separate use of enfiladed rooms. Subsequent alterations were made in the forties of the 19th century. Thanks to them, an impression of the romantic Neo-Gothic residence, reflected in the water surfaces of the park`s ponds was achieved. In spite of the alterations, many elements of the original fortified building were preserved, above all the moat and the bridge leading to the Castle`s courtyard. After Prince Wilhelm`s death in 1851 (Princess Marianne died in 1846) the property passed into the hands of their older daughter Elisabeth, who was Prince Karl von Hessen`s wife from 1836. The estate remained the House of Hesse`s private property until 1945. Its last owner was Prince Ludwig von Hessen und bei Rhein, the grandson of Princess Elisabeth and the great-grandson of Princess Marianne and Prince Wilhelm.At those times the property was not frequently visited. The visitors used to come during the summer, and in the autumn hunting events were organized.
The picture below was taken in the summer of 1869 in the Castle Karpniki inner ward. Princess Elisabeth`s birthday celebrations provided the opportunity for the family to have a small get-together. Among the invited guests were Queen Marie of Bavaria (sister), Prince Adalbert (brother), Großherzog Ludwig IV von Hessen und bei Rhein (son) and his wife Princess Alice of the United Kingdom (daughter of Britain`s Queen Victoria), Prince Karl von Hessen (husband) and the other sons of the Prince and Princess couple, Heinrich and Wilhelm. Walking tours in the nearby area was a favourite pastime for the visitors to Karpniki. A trip to Śnieżka mountain and, interestingly, a visit to the carpets factory in nearby Kowary took place as well.
During WWII the Castle was one of the places designated by Günther Grundmann, district art restorer, for the museum repository. Fearing bombing, the last owner of Karpniki, Prince Ludwig von Hessen und bei Rhein took the art collections away from Darmstadt and stored them in Karpniki. Among the assembled works of art was `The Darmstadt Madonna` (also known as `The Madonna of Jakob Meyer zum Hasen), a 16th century painting by Hans Holbein the Younger. From January 1945 the collections were taken away into Germany and hidden from the approaching Red Army.
After WWII from February 1946 till 1949 the People`s University had its seat in the Castle. It was the first institution of this kind in the Lower Silesia. The curriculum plan of the 5-months` course aimed at preparing grown-up young people to cultural and educational activity in the rural areas. The students came from the various regions of Poland. Then the building remained empty for a few years. Only in 1956 a Care Home for Children opened here. The first post-war repair works took place only in 1962, among other things, the roof was renovated. The Castle was supposed to serve as a holiday camp but in 1973 its condition was so bad that the inhabitants had to leave. In the following years a few attempts to find a purpose for the building were made, but they all failed. The Castle repeatedly changed its owners and, in spite of many repair and protection works, it gradually fell into ruin. Many acts of vandalism and theft occured. In 1993 the thieves knocked off the Renaissance gate door portal and prepared it to be taken away. Luckily the intervention came just in time, the portal was secured and after conservation it returned to its rightful place. Unfortunately, the process of deterioration continued.
In 2009 the Castle with the park and the surrounding land was bought by a development company. The company`s aim was to renovate the Castle and to restore it to its former glory. The President of the Republic of Poland gave Historic Monument title to the Castle, which is the highest form of appreciation for it.

http://www.zamekkarpniki.pl/

Castle Karpniki

The contemporary form of Wojanów palace (formerly Schildau) is the result of the numerous reconstructions of earlier establishments. The first mention of the property dates from 1281, when it was owned by Eberhard von Schildau. The Renaissance manor was built in 1607 as a seat of the Zedlitz family. However, after only a few years, during the Thirty Years’ War, it was burned down by the Swedish army. In 1667 it was rebuilt by Christoph von Zedlitz in the Baroque style. Wojanów remained in the hands of the Zedlitz family intermittently until 1727. In 1831 it was thoroughly refurbished at the request of its new owner, Karl Albrech Ike. The building was given a neo-Gothic form, which was in fashion at the time. Over the years, from a fortified manor house styled in a Baroque manner it was made into a romantic residence. In 1839 Princess Louise of Prussia became the new owner of the palace after she received it from her father, Frederick William III of Prussia. Thanks to the royal architect, Peter Joseph Lenné, a beautiful landscaped park was established around the palace. The owners of the palace changed frequently. During World War II it was inhabited by prisoners of war who worked in the nearby village of Dąbrowica. After the war, the destroyed and plundered palace was turned into an administrative building of a State Agricultural Farm (PGR), which did not save it from falling into disrepair. In the 1990s it was purchased by an Italian company. In 2002 the roof and a significant part of the ceiling burned down for unknown reasons and the building was offered for sale again. It has been in new hands since 2004. The edifice regained its old splendour thanks to a thorough renovation in 2005-2006.

Today, Wojanów is a restored manor and a beautiful landscape park with reconstructed promenades. The old utility buildings had been turned into a hotel (with a restaurant, a conference room, a cafe, a wine bar and a garden bar). Shows and concerts are organised at the location. The palace is also a huge recreational complex with tennis courts, a volleyball court, a swimming pool and a spa. The building provides facilities for the disabled. The object received a Grand Prize in the Dolnośląska Budowa contest 2007-2008 for the conservation work conducted on the site. Other palaces located nearby (Łomnica, Karpniki, Jelenia Góra and Staniszów) are an additional attraction.

Palace in Wojanow

The mediaeval stronghold in Janowice Wielkie is an example of an upland castle extended over several phases and making excellent use of the terrain, including the scenic rock formations found in the Rudawy Janowickie mountains. The ruins of this knights’ castle are situated on a granite hill at an altitude of 561 m, rising over the surroundings.
It was known from the Middle Ages by the name of Bolko (in 1375 das Bolzenschlos, later Bolkoschlos and Bolzenstein). According to some researchers the castle was built in the second half of the 14th century by the knight Clericus von Boltz, courtier of the Świdnica-Jawor dukes. However, other sources give the castle as being constructed in the years 1163-1201 by Duke Bolesław I the Tall to defend the homes and mines in the neighbourhood.
Clericus Bolze became owner of the nearby village of Mniszków in 1370, buying it together with the mines from Heirich der Baier.
Some historians date the completion of the castle’s construction to probably before 1386, when nearby Falcon Stone castle (Sokolec) entered the possession of the knight Hannos Reinbaben. The lie of the land was made maximum use of here, as were the lone-standing rocks which were connected by stone wall, thereby creating a courtyard. A square tower was built on one of the rocks, and on the opposite side of the courtyard was a residential building connected to the chaplain’s house, the stairs to which were carved into the rock, while the women’s house was located next to the tower. A well was cut into the rock, and a bakery and kitchens were built on the south-eastern side of the courtyard.
Intended from then on as the family’s seat, the building – watching over the trade routes passing nearby – was destroyed in 1433 by Świdnica townsmen representing the interests of the Wrocław bishop; they arrived in arms, their purpose to put an end to the frequent banditry on the roads – because not only did the Bolczów owners sympathise with the Hussites, but they were also involved in “robber knight” activities, attacking merchants’ trains.
On 15 October 1512, the district governor of the Świdnica-Jawor duchy, Konrad von Hochberg, sold the villages of Mniszków, Miedzanka, Janowice and Bolzenstein together with all the mines and mining sites to Hals Diepold von Burghaus.
Following the ravages of war, it took until 1517-1518 for the castle to be rebuilt, probably by Hans Dippold von Burghaus. This was when the courtyard was established, and a defensive tower was raised at the southern corner while numerous embrasures were built into the walls. Natural rocks were used for the rebuilding, creating a monolithic building. It constituted one of the most powerful strategic points, and was particularly important to Silesia due to the stormy times related to frequent battles aimed at keeping the region with the Czech crown.
In 1537 Hans Dippold von Burghaus sold his properties in Mniszków, Miedzianka and Janowice, as well as the Bolczów castle, to the royal secretary Jost Ludwig Dietz. The latter issued a new mining law in 1539, comprising 113 articles – of which number 13 released the mines from taxation. Despite this, after just 4 years in 1543, he sold all his property to the brothers Hans and Franz Hellmann.
At this point the stronghold was strengthened further because of the Turks threatening Silesia. In the years 1520-1550 the castle was once again extended and modernised. A stone wall was raised in front of the gate tower, and a bastion and dry moat were built. The walls were also adapted for artillery weapons by building in inverted keyhole embrasures. The work continued until 1550, which was also probably when the moat was dug out on the side of the barbican and a bridge was built over it.
The castle’s next owners were the Schaffgotsch family, and Daniel von Schaffgotsch carried out a minor conversion of the castle in the years 1608-1609.    
During the Thirty Years’ War the castle initially served as shelter for the local population, of various standing, but was soon reinforced and manned with imperial forces, and in 1641 yielded to the pressure of the Swedish forces. Four years later, on 5 December 1645, and presumably as a result of betrayal by one of the defenders, the castle was once again seized and set fire to by the Swedes – when the timber structure as well as the roof truss and covering also burned. Bolczów was never to recover its former splendour after this date. In a state of highly advanced but still beautiful ruins it became a tourist attraction for the region, and for example in 1824 was visited by the King Frederick William III of Prussia, together with his wife the Countess Auguste von Harrach and Empress Consort Alexandra of Russia, and a few years later by the Duke and future Emperor of Germany, William I. Count Wilhelm Stolberg-Wernigerode, who lived in Janowice, bought the castle in 1848 and set about protecting and partially reconstructing the crumbling walls, tidying up the grounds around it, and getting the filled-in well back into working order. Wooden stairs and banisters were built to improve the safety for visitors, and to enable usage of the viewing points overlooking the panorama of the Giant Mountains.
In the late 19th century a small hotel for tourists was built by the wall closing the upper castle’s courtyard; it was said to be housed in the large Knights’ Hall. This was just advertising, and descriptions of the time reveal that it was rather just a modest eatery. At the same time work was carried out on protecting the ruins. The castle hostel ceased to function after 1945, and devoid of any supervision the site began falling into ruin. Only in 1965 was work carried out to protect the site, unnecessary trees were removed, the tops of the walls were cleaned and a new bridge and gate were made.
The oldest section of the complex remains the upper castle, which occupies the area between two rock formations partially included in the defensive periphery. The north-western hill, known as the “Chaplain’s Hill”, used to have a stone residence measuring 7.8 by 20 metres, with cellars and two chambers on the ground floor; its walls have survived to this day. A four-sided defensive bastion was built on the opposite side, and a gate was built into the southern curtain leading to the irregular castle boroughs. In the central part of the courtyard was a water cistern carved out of the rock. The castle’s modern phase of development presents a well-maintained gate system with a tower, bastion and barbican leading to the bridge over the moat.

http://www.rudawyjanowickie.eu/

Castle Bolczów

Residents of Black Manor, during the first 60 years of the XX century in the former state farms visited the street Strumykowa, recorded in their memory they could see the richly carved, sandstone portal, which adorned the central part of the facade of the mansion. It was the very high-class work of an anonymous artist-mason 450 years ago. In addition to an interesting, full of compositional harmonious tectonics, the portal passed on various pieces of information and important messages. This is a topic worthy of deeper analysis, which is waiting for art historians and experts from iconography and heraldry. And also for anyone who likes monuments, because they know that monuments can speak.
Here is a unique picture of the portal, probably taken in the mid-nineteenth century. The original is in the Karkonoskiego Museum. Extremely high quality photographs allowed complete reconstruction of the portal.
In the IX-X century there is an early medieval settlement
1301 - Village history speaks of a noble family - Talkenbergów, and later, families Zedlitz, Stoschen, Rechenberg, Reibnitz, Liebeteller, Hohberg Gotsche ("der von Gotschen", later Schaffgotsch).
dwór 1737a
Sketch from about 17th century by Heinrich Lan
1559 - Kasper II Schoff-Gotsche began construction of the mansion in the style of the early Renaissance, adapting an existing medieval castle defense here.
1623 – During the 30-year war, the manor breaks out in fire, burning a number of peasant buildings and a mill.
1656 - Ernest von Nimptsch (father) completes reconstruction and expansion of the manor.
1679 - Ernst von Nimptsch (son) sold the countryside together with the manor to the city of Hirschberg (Jelenia Góra)
1720-1729 – The manor, after another fire, is in decline; which results in the restoration of the pile of rubble.
1785 - Black Manor belongs to the holdings of the King of Prussia
1801 - Fire destroys farm buildings
1809 - The property is still owned by the Royal holdings, and is leased by the City
1885-1907 - Modernization of the manor, the demolition of the eastern tract, the manor takes its present shape, the interior loses its artistic merits: the eradication of Renaissance paintings, ceramic stoves, and parts of the coverings on the ceiling beams.
1927-1945 - The last tenant of the property is a German engineer. Ludwig Rahm. His family leaves Black Manor in October 1946 (going to Hanover, Germany)
1945-1948 - The property manager is Stanisław Firkowski. who carries out maintenance work outside. After the establishment of the state-owned farm, he goes to Gliwice (?)
Under the ownership of the company "Wojanów" the historic mansion fell into disrepair and in the late 70's it is left deserted and devastated, the owner calls for demolition, which is opposed by the county conservator.
02/06/1981 – A group of members of the Polish Ecological Club visits the manor ruins, it is the beginning of the campaign to save this monument.
From spring 1983 until 1987, renovation continues and security is set in place, archaeological excavations and research on the history of the Manor; financing acquired to form a resort.
In March 1988, the idea was created for a resort here and implementation of environmental practices, which on 11/18/1988 was materialized in the form of the company "Centre for Ecological Culture (ECO)".
01/08/1990 - The Foundation for Ecological Culture (FKE) was formed as a continuation of something that was started 19 years earlier as a civic campaign to save and revitalize the Manor.
09/1992 - FKE, the creator of the idea of the International Centre for Ecological Culture "Manor Black" enters into an agreement with the city of Jelenia Góra and takes on the role of investor to target restoration of the monument.
11/11/2007 - FKE receives honorable mention in the pro bono work competition for the best society in the category "Environment and Regional Development."
04/18/2008 – The Foundation for Ecological Culture receives ownership of Black Manor and the countryside via a notarial act of donation.
05/26/2010 - The International Society for Ecological Culture "Black Manor" was formed and was designed to support the FKE mission.
The restoration of the mansion is part of a comprehensive investment program by the International Centre for Ecological Culture "Black Manor." This will not only be about the historic mansion, but also the land and buildings of the former agricultural property homestead. This comprehensive project with a unique character fits into the vision of the harmonious development of the Jelenia Góra Basin as well as priority targets of the Polish-Czech-German border communities.

http://www.thegenealogyassistant.com/

Mansion in Czarne

Practically there is nothing known about the castle which was located in Ciechanowice. Probably in the XVth cent. a brick knight’s castle was erected there, however, written documents mention its existence only on the occasion of its sale in 1451. Brothers Opitz and Hayn von Czirnów then gave up the castle along with fief to Hans of Mysłów for 800 Hungarian guldens. There is no more information about the castle.

Moreover, the XVIth cent. manor is situated in the village, which was reconstructed in the XIXth cent. but it is unknown whether it was raised at the place of the castle or perhaps it does not have anything in common with it.

How to drive.
You ought to drive down the road no 328 from Wojcieszów lying roughly 10km north-east of Jelenia Góra towards Kamienna Góra. Before Marciszów you need to turn right to Janowice Wielkie. At this place begins the place Ciechanowice but you have to drive on, all the time down the main road, till the junction at which you need to turn right towards Miedzianka. After entering the forest on the left side of the road (around 100m off it) the ruins of some kind of buildings are visible. When you see them you need to drive around 50m as to leave them behind and turn left into the rocky road to the park. Down that road drive to the end where the XVIth-century manor is located.

Castle in Ciechanowice

There is a hypothesis that the first assumption of the defense was on top of the castle Chojnik Bobrzan tribe. Certainly in the second half of the thirteenth century Boleslaw Bald-Bald erected a hunting manor of the characteristics of defense, who in the late thirteenth century it expanded Bolek And Raw. 
When the power in the principality swidnicko Jawor came Bolko II, created a powerful empire, which during his reign strengthened many castles. In his time, probably about 1355 years, built the castle on Chojnik replacing an earlier mansion. At the top of the sloping rocky south vertical wall stone fortress was established, although the small size of it by its location extremely difficult to get. The western part of the irregular quadrilateral assumptions held residential building and the east - a huge round tower. A small courtyard on the north and south defended strong walls. The whole was built of stone. 
After the death of Bolek II widow Duchess Agnes gave the castle in 1392 years subsequent to the progenitor powerful Silesian family - Gotsche Schoffowi. The castle remained with a short break in the hands of Schaffgotsches to the end of its existence. Gotsche Schoff existing buildings enriched in 1405 year św.Jerzego chapel and St. Catherine, which is placed over the entrance gate in the bay of red sandstone (recently partially rebuilt). During the Hussite wars Schaffgotsches, having a foothold in the inaccessible fortress, looted merchants who follow the trade route and the local population. 
Even in the fifteenth century castle was well developed. From the north-east created a vast castle bottom of irregular shape, which was occupied mainly utility rooms. At the southern wall was the kitchen, to the east of the castle housing the crew, the wall of the north-eastern cellar and further courtroom. At the center of the courtyard of the lower castle was erected a stone pillory. Castle never owned wells, and the water collected in the rock tanks, first on the castle top, then another found in the area of the lower castle. 
In the first half of the sixteenth century the next expansion. It was created when the third courtyard surrounded by walls adjacent to the western wall of the lower castle. The northern part of the new area occupied apartment commanding castle, erected the new courtyard of stables, in the northern corner of the dungeon was a tower of hunger. In the new part was another water tank. Probably during the expansion of the castle walls crowned with all the Renaissance attic in the shape of half circles. In 1560, on the north side of the complex was built extensive territory of the bastion. 
Thirty Years' War meant that the castle was reinforced from the easiest access fortifications and an additional gate. When in 1634 beheaded John Ulrich von Schaffgotsche, the castle was confiscated by the emperor, but in 1649 it was returned to the former owners. They did not move here its permanent location. 
When the August 31, 1675, the castle was burned from a lightning strike have not been taken already rebuilding. Abandoned stronghold fell into disrepair. In 1822 was established here willingly visited by tourists-bathers shelter, which operates today. 
Legend has it that the princess lived here Cunegonde, daughter of the owner of the castle. It was a whim that a candidate for a husband, toured on horseback in full armor castle walls. Long time no one has succeeded, and the subsequent heroes died falling into the abyss. Once arrived at the castle knight from Krakow who made ​​this risky feat, but when the enchanted princess offered him his hand - rejected her efforts and drove away. Humiliated and unwanted bride threw herself into the abyss of the walls, which were falling heroes sent by her to death. To this day, apparently you can see the ghost of one of the knights, who on horseback touring the castle walls on moonlit nights.

Castle in Sobieszow

On the rocky promontory are the ruins of a polygonal tower. Castle, this place could be built around the fourteenth century. In 1432 years was mentioned as the property of Henry Czyrny. They had in this castle one of the main bases of the Hussites and probably destroyed during the wars. state of preservation of the ruins is not to recreate the old assumptions.

Castle Niesytno in Płonina

At the beginning of the fourteenth century built here over Beaver knight's castle. It was a residential tower on a rectangular walled perimeter. Preserved in almost original condition assumption on the third floor are visible traces of polychrome from around 1300.

Tower knights in Siedlęcin

Bolków Castle - a castle located in Bolków on the Castle Hill (Wzgórze Zamkowe, Polish), with a 396 metres, where the hillside is cut by the Nysa Szalona river, with a sharp precipice (with a sudden drop of 90 metres); the eastern side of the hill gradually lowers, taken up by the town. The castle is an upland stronghold, covering an area of 7600 m². The castle is located in Bolków (30 km to the north-west of Wałbrzych), Lower Silesian Voivodeship; in Poland.
First mentions of the castle come from 1277, from the time of the reign of Bolesław II Rogatka, Duke of Legnica. The castle's current shape was only done so by various constructions in the sixteenth century, the famous Silesian architect Jakub Parr brought elements of the Renaissance into the castle's fortifications. After the construction and expansion, the castle had a total area of 7600 m², making it one of the largest castles in Silesia. In 1703, the castle in Bolków was bought by Cistercian monks from Krzeszów. After the laicisation of monastic property, the castle went to the State Treasury of Poland.