The palace in Kębłowice, near Wrocław, was once a thriving residence. The former home of the Jesdinsky family was nationalised after 1945 and has stood abandoned since the early 1990s. Today it is but a shadow of its former splendour, yet despite the damage, traces of that era can still be discerned.
The Palace in Kębłowice – the Jesdinsky family’s residence, built in 1882
Kębłowice (German: Kammelwitz) has medieval roots. The village was first mentioned as early as 1245, and until its secularisation in 1810, it was owned by the cathedral chapter in Wrocław. From the mid-19th century, the estate belonged to the Jesdinsky family. The present residence, completed in 1882, was commissioned by Leopold Jesdinsky. Following the death of the family patriarch, the estate was managed by his wife, Emilia (née Lode), and from 1892 the estate was taken over by their son Wilhelm, known as Willy Jesdinsky. He was the last owner of Kłębowice before 1945. The family also owned estates in Samotwór and Jarząbkowice, bred horses and sheep, and supported the local Evangelical community. They donated 10,000 marks towards the construction of the church in Smolec.
A Lower Silesian palace like a small castle on the Loire
The two-storey building features a Neo-Baroque façade and an interestingly segmented structure. It resembles one of the magnificent castles on the Loire Valley. Octagonal turrets with domed spires were placed at the corners of the front façade, whilst a third tower, this time a viewing tower, rises above the central part of the roof. The whole structure is covered by a mansard roof adorned with dormers featuring volutes and pinnacles. From the courtyard side, one can admire the central projection with the entrance and two empty niches, which probably once housed sculptures. The garden façade features three projections, balconies and terraces supported by pillars. The palace was built of brick, whilst the details and ornamentation were executed in plaster and wood. Originally, the residence was surrounded by a landscape park and a farmstead.
The fate of the mansion after 1945
In 1945, the Red Army entered Kębłowice. The soldiers occupied the palace, and the residents were forced into labour. A year later, all the furnishings of the Jesdinsky family’s residence were transported to the East, whilst the family presumably emigrated to Germany. After 1949, the former estate was converted into a State Agricultural Farm under the authority of the Plant Breeding Station in Sadków. The palace was then used as offices and flats, which prevented it from falling into disrepair. Between 1978 and 1980, and again in 1983, renovation work was even carried out, but the residence was not restored to its former pre-war splendour. Following the liquidation of the State-run Agricultural Farm in 1990, the estate became part of the state’s assets, before being leased to a private owner. In 2015, further renovation work began on the palace and the farm buildings – all in consultation with the conservation officer.
The palace in Kębłowice is still awaiting work
The result of this work is a new roof. The mansion in Kębłowice has been fitted with a slate roof, whilst the roofs of some of the farm buildings have been finished with carp-style tiles. However, that is as far as it has gone… For the past 10 years, the palace has not seen any continuation of this promising renovation. Whilst the building’s roofing looks excellent, the façades and interiors are in a deplorable state. A state that is deteriorating with every passing day. The palace is currently on the market for 12 million zlotys.
Source: katywroclawskie.pl, polskiezabytki.pl
See also:Historic building|Renovation|Palace|Architecture in Poland|Villas and mansions
