The Palace in Runowo Krajeńskie: what if it hadn’t been set on fire?

·26 June 2026

The palace in Runowo Krajeńskie has been in ruins for over 80 years. However, thanks to visualisations prepared by architect Michał Szymankiewicz, it is possible to see what this elegant residence looked like before the fire set by the Germans in 1945. The visualisations were created using archival photographs, documents and tools utilising artificial intelligence.

The Palace in Runów Krajeński – the beginning

The history of Runowo Krajeńskie dates back to at least 1325. At that time, the village belonged to the Cistercians of Byszewo near Koronowo. Later, the estate passed into the hands of several families, including the Dźwierszeńskis, and from the second half of the 16th century, the Orzelski family of the Dryja coat of arms. It was Jan Orzelski, the starost of Kościan and castellan of Rogozin, who, around 1595, commissioned the construction of a new brick residence on the site of a burnt-down wooden manor house. Today, a Latin foundation plaque bearing the date 1595 still hangs on the northern façade of the building. Its inscription notes that the new building was constructed of brick to minimise the risk of another fire. The barrel-vaulted cellars and fragments of the walls from the Renaissance residence have survived to this day. A formal garden surrounding the manor house was also laid out during that period.

Pałac w Runowie Krajeńskim — The palace in a painting from the second half of the 19th century. Source: zlb.de

A major reconstruction in the Neo-Renaissance style

After nearly 200 years in the hands of the Działyński family, the estate was purchased by members of the German von Bethmann-Hollweg family. Around 1860, the building underwent extensive modernisation. The scale of the alterations was such that the former residence was transformed into a magnificent palace showcasing elegant Neo-Renaissance style. The façades were plastered in sandy colours, which contrasted with the numerous decorative details. A tall four-sided clock tower dominated the surrounding area, whilst the façades were adorned with cornices, decorative gables and window surrounds. The multi-pitched roof was covered with tiles. The residence was surrounded by a landscape park covering an area of approximately 18 ha, featuring mature trees, avenues, ponds and monumental trees. The interiors delighted visitors with their stately rooms, panelling, stucco work, fireplaces, ornate staircases and wooden parquet floors, and were filled with elegant furniture, antiques and works of art.

The Palace in Runowo Krajeńskie and the War

During the Second World War, the palace remained the property of the von Bethmann-Hollweg family. It is known that Hermann Göring stayed here, and according to accounts, Adolf Hitler also visited Runau at that time. The most tragic events in the residence’s history since 1595 took place in 1945. At that time, retreating German troops set fire to the building. The fire consumed the roofs, ceilings and almost all the furnishings. It was the second tragic fire in the estate’s history spanning over 600 years. After the war, the estate was nationalised and left without proper care. This resulted in the theft of the remaining surviving elements of the décor, furnishings and materials from which the palace had been built. It was at this time that the second foundation plaque was lost; it had been torn from the wall and used as a step on a staircase in one of the offices in Runów. It subsequently disappeared without trace.

Runowo Palace – a new lease of life

Since 1997, the palace and park complex has been in private hands. The owner first restored the outbuildings, former servants’ quarters and stables, which today operate as a hotel, restaurant, conference centre and horse stud under the name Runowo Palace. Sadly, the main residence remains in ruins. Its outer walls, vaulted cellars and clock tower have survived. The owners have for years declared their intention to restore the historic building, but carrying out such a large-scale project requires detailed documentation, consultation with the historic preservation officer and very substantial financial investment.

Visualisations bring Runowo Palace in Krajeńskie back to life

The visualisations by Michał Szymankiewicz allow us to see the palace as it looked before the disaster of 1945. The architect has recreated the building’s structure, façades, roofs and immediate surroundings. His work serves as a reminder of the scale of the former residence and its architectural merits. Had the palace not been set alight at the end of the war, it might today be counted amongst the finest Neo-Renaissance residences of the former Krajna region. Who knows, perhaps the clock in the palace tower will one day start ticking again?