Pszczyna Castle

Castle in Pszczyna (Zamek w Pszczynie) is a classical-style palace in Pszczyna. Constructed as a castle in 13th century or earlier, in a gothic style, it was rebuilt in renaissance style in 17th century, in baroque in 18th century and classicist in 19th century; the classicist modernization transformed the castle into what is usually described a palace.

In its history the castle was a residence of local Piasts dynasty members, then Promnitz family (mid 16th to mid 18th centuries) and later, von Pless family. The castle was owned by the government since 1936. Since 1946 it is a site of the Muzeum Zamkowe (Castle Museum).

History
Early in the 12th century, Pszczyna was a stronghold of the Piasts. The city belonged to Lesser Poland (Malopolska) until 1177, when it became part of the Duchy of Racibórz. From this time on, it also was part of the Krakow bishopric. In 1548, the palace was sold to the Promnitz family and given a Renaissance appearance, which it lost after a fire. It was consequently rebuilt in a more baroque style. In 1848 the Duchy of Pszczyna became a Principality, ruled by the Hochberg-Fürstenstein family until 1939.

Between 1870 and 1876, reconstruction were carried out by the French architect Gabriel-Hippolyte Destailleur.

During the First World War, the palace was resided in by William II, German Emperor and there are pictures on display of him together with Erich Ludendorff and Paul von Hindenburg discussing war operations.

After the Second World War for a brief period there was a Soviet military hospital in the palace, but on May 9, 1946 it was turned into a museum.

Interior
The Royal Apartments, or Apartamenty Cezarskie, are the rooms in which the rulers of the principality and the German Kaiser resided. They have been recreated with a lot of the original furnishings intact.

When ascending the Grand Staircase, designed by Alexandre Destailleur, the apartments of Princess Mary Theresa Olivia Cornwallis-West von Pless are reached. The princess, called Daisy, lived there from 1891, when she married Prince Hans Heinrich XV and left her native England, until 1943. The rooms are decorated with pictures of the princess and hunting trophies of her husband.

The highlight of the palace is its Chamber of Mirrors. An art nouveau dining room is another place of interest.