The palace in Kozłówka is an extraordinary monument, which delights with its architecture and rich history. The palace and park complex of the Zamoyski family is located in the northern part of the Lubelskie Voivodeship, just 9 km west of Lubartów and about 2 km south-east of the town of Kamionka. Today, the palace is the seat of the Zamoyski Museum in Kozłówka, and the Kozłowiec Landscape Park extends to the south of the village. In 2007, the palace and park complex was entered on the list of Monuments of History, which underlines its exceptional significance.
History and architecture
The palace was built between 1736 and 1742 by the Chełmno voivode Michał Bieliński, and its design is attributed to the Italian architect Joseph II Fontana. The building follows the Baroque entre cour et jardin scheme, i.e. the concept of a palace layout with an axial, symmetrical layout in which the main body of the palace and the wings enclose a representative courtyard on three sides . From 1799 until 1944 the palace belonged to the Zamoyski family. Its greatest flourish came under Konstanty Zamoyski, who turned it into his main residence.
Photo by Łukasz Bakuła, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
At the end of the 19th century, reconstruction of the palace began, which lasted until 1914. At that time, an imposing colonnaded portico was added to the front and a magnificent terrace on the garden side (demolished after World War II). The main body was framed by tall towers and the palace interiors were given rich new decorations. Jan Heurich (the younger) designed the plafonds in Regency and Rococo style, giving the palace interiors a unique character.
Collections and furnishings
The palace’s interiors were filled with exquisite copies of old furniture and paintings, dominated by family portraits and images of notables associated with the Zamoyski family. In 1903, after many years of efforts, Tsar Nicholas II established the Kozlowice Ordinance, which meant that the estate was not subject to division and was inherited by the eldest son.
Events of the 20th century
In 1928, the gardens surrounding the palace hosted a training camp for the Polish gymnastics team for the Summer Olympic Games in Amsterdam, organised by Adam Michał Zamoyski. During World War II, the palace was occupied by the Red Army and its furnishings, despite the hard times, survived thanks to the efforts of local residents.
The Zamoyski Palace in the 1920s and today. Source: NAC – National Digital Archives www.nac.gov.pl/ and Robsuper, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Zamoyski Museum
In 1944 the palace became state property. A museum was established here shortly thereafter (the first in Poland liberated from German occupation), and in 1954 it was transformed into the Central Museum Depot of the Ministry of Culture and Art. In 1979 the palace again became the seat of a museum, and since 1992 it has been operating as the Zamoyski Museum in Kozłówka. The palace interiors have retained their authentic late nineteenth and early twentieth century decor, including Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance plafonds, Meissen tile cookers, marble fireplaces and oak parquet floors. The museum also has a remarkable collection of paintings, furniture, sculptures, mirrors, carpets, porcelain, gilded bronzes and silverware.
The Kozłówka Palace in the 1950s and today. Source: Spotkania z Zabytkami and Łukasz Bakuła, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Socialist Realism Art Gallery
The building of the former carriage house houses the only Socialist Realist Art Gallery in Poland, also known as the ‘Museum of Socialist Realism’. The gallery’s collection includes over 1,600 sculptures, drawings, paintings, prints and posters from the first half of the 1950s by leading Polish artists. Outside, visitors can see dismantled statues of Bolesław Bierut, Vladimir Lenin and Julian Marchlewski. While visiting the gallery, speeches by Communist Party secretaries and songs such as the ‘International’ are played from loudspeakers.
Kozłówka Palace in the 1950s and today. The older photo shows the terrace, demolished shortly after the photograph was taken. Source: Spotkania z Zabytkami and Marek Mróz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Unique heritage
The Kozłówka Palace, with its rich history and unique architecture, is one of the region’s most important tourist attractions. The authenticity and excellent maintenance of the palace’s interiors make it a place of great value both in Poland and in Europe. It is a place where history meets architectural beauty, creating an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
Source: museumzamoyskich.pl, zabytek.pl
Read also: Architecture | Monument | Palace | Architecture in Poland | Villas and residences
