The palace in Dobrocin is about to undergo major changes. The ZW Foundation has taken on the ambitious task of revitalising the historic park and residence, located in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. This picturesque region, known as the land of a thousand lakes, has been attracting nature and history lovers for years. Now, thanks to the foundation’s initiative, the ten-hectare site will be given new life as a Cultural and Biodiversity Centre.
Dobrocin is a place with a rich history, dating back to the 15th century, when the von Wilmsdorf family founded their first residence there. Subsequently, the estate passed to the Truchsess-Waldburg family and from 1792 to the von Domhardt family. The last owner before 1945 was Baron Otto von Goltz-Domhardt. The present palace was built in the 1840s on the site of an earlier manor house (rebuilt and extended), probably dating from the 18th century. The building was given an irregular plan and two turrets, outbuildings and side wings were added at that time. Next to it is an elongated quaternary building from the turn of the 18th/19th century. The palace was renovated in the 1920s. From 1946 to 1971 it housed the Agricultural School Complex. Later the palace was abandoned and began to deteriorate. Since 2001 it has been private property.
Dobrocin Palace as a school. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury
In the main body, the original amphitheatre layout of the interiors has been preserved, as well as window and door woodwork from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and stuccoed ceilings, wooden coffered ceilings, stone and terracotta floors. Fireplaces (including one Mannerist fireplace from 1639) and tiled cookers (including a classicist one from the 19th century) have also survived from the old furnishings. As part of the revitalisation project, the foundation plans to create an art gallery, educational spaces, as well as a library and reading room. The palace will provide space for a permanent exhibition dedicated to the work of Natalia LL, as well as temporary exhibitions. In the landscaped park that surrounds the palace, two greenhouses with historical plant species, a fallow deer enclosure, a bird house and an open-air sculpture exhibition will be created. The overall design is intended to be reminiscent of the historic appearance of English landscape parks.
The park and palace complex in Dobrocin is located just 8 km from the S7 route, which connects Warsaw with Gdańsk, making it easily accessible for tourists and residents of the region. Its proximity to the railway station further enhances its attractiveness as a cultural and educational centre. The ZW Foundation, in operation since 2019, focuses on promoting the arts and life sciences. The organisation, founded by Mateusz Kozieradzki and Dawid Lewandowski, has been committed to building a collection of artworks, natural science collections and archival material since its inception. The foundation’s mission is to support artists and scientists, as well as education through the organisation of exhibitions, publications and cultural events.
The full renovation of the complex is planned for 2029, with initial visualisations expected to be in place by the end of that year. The project, which aims to revitalise the historically neglected site, is dependent on collaboration with the local conservationist. The ZW Foundation is counting on the support of donors who can become part of this unique venture, gaining not only the opportunity to participate in the annual balls held in Dobrocin, but also recognition on the foundation’s website and in publications about the history of the site. The ZW Foundation invites all interested parties to follow the progress of the project and participate in the creation of a new cultural centre in Warmia and Mazury.
Source: ZW Foundation, leksykonkultury.ceik.eu
Contemporary photos: ZW Foundation
Read also: Architecture in Poland | History | Renovation | Palace | whiteMAD on Instagram
