The Amber Palace in Włocławek is a complex of buildings that was realised thanks to the initiative of entrepreneur Krzysztof Grządziela. Upon completion, the building was handed over free of charge to the “Lonely Mama” Foundation, whose headquarters are located in the palace. The name of the complex comes from the characteristic amber colour of the elevation, and the whole relates in its style to old baroque residences.
Construction of the Amber Palace lasted from May 2006 to July 2009, and its official opening took place on 5 December 2009. Janusz Górniak’s company, which worked according to plans by Wojciech Bromirski, was responsible for the project. The value of the entire investment reached several tens of millions of zlotys. The palace, which measures 45 metres wide, 22 metres long and 23 metres high, is distinguished by its sandstone and granite façade. The foundations and structure of the building are made of reinforced concrete, while the walls of the edifice are built of concrete blocks, solid bricks and ceramic hollow blocks. The portico bears the dedication “In tribute to my and all mothers”, referring to the mission of the Lone Mom Foundation.
The Amber Palace under construction. Photo by Rafał Jendrzejewski, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Amber Palace serves as the headquarters of the “Samotna Mama” Foundation, which supports single parents, foster families and families with many children by offering them medical, legal and psychological assistance. The Foundation also organises additional educational activities for children and annual events such as summer camps and Christmas parties. Thanks to its hotel and restaurant activities, the foundation dedicates 20 per cent of its income to its statutory objectives, supporting those in need.
The interiors of the Amber Palace have been finished in a style reminiscent of historical residences – materials such as granite, marble and wood have been used. The centrepiece of the venue is the 300-square-metre Golden Hall, which is part of a larger conference centre with a total area of 553 square metres. The conference complex consists of six halls, the largest of which can accommodate up to 400 people. In the basement of the palace there are club rooms equipped with billiard tables. The high quality of the workmanship of the Bursztyn Palace was recognised with a first-rate award in the “Building of the Year 2009” competition organised by the Polish Association of Construction Engineers and Technicians. Despite this award, the whole building has been criticised for, among other things, poor proportions, inappropriate use of individual decorative elements or general kitsch.
Within the palace grounds there is a hotel with 30 rooms, a restaurant and a mini spa where you can enjoy a Finnish sauna and a massage. The complex also includes the Eastern Residence with an additional five hotel rooms. The Amber Palace is also the venue for numerous cultural events, including concerts and the ‘Belcanto Per Sempre’ Italian Opera Music Festival, which attracts well-known artists.
The palace is surrounded by gardens covering more than a hectare, with some 40,000 plants, including ornamental shrubs and trees. The gardens include fountains, sculptures and a reservoir with a waterfall. The grounds also contain an amphitheatre and a barbecue area, and the whole is surrounded by a decorated wall a kilometre long. There is a spacious car park in front of the chateau and the complex includes four tennis courts, two of which are indoor and heated in winter.
Source: palacbursztynowy.pl, wikipedia.org
Read also: Architecture | Curiosities | Palace | Architecture in Poland | Villas and residences
