History

The castle in Świebodzin was first mentioned in historical records in 1329 as property of the Duke of Żagań, Henry IV. It was located on the eastern outskirts of the town, circumscribed by a moat and, perhaps, by the Zamecko Lake. Its original appearance is unknown. In the 15th century it belonged for a short time to the Johannite Order of Łagów and was most likely redesigned and extended. From the early 16th century the castle was administered by commanders from the Knobelsdorff family, nominated by the Habsburgs. At that time, the Gothic structure was transformed into a Renaissance residence, not being stripped of its defensive character, though. According to a drawing from 1618, these were the buildings clustered around two courtyards, featuring three cylindrical towers, circumscribed by a moat with a bridge leading to the gatehouse passing over it. The main entrance was accentuated by stairs in a roofed, columned porch. After the damage caused by the Thirty Years War, the fortress was rebuilt by the last commander from the Knobelsdorff family - Caspar Sigismund. According to a drawing by F.B. Wernher from around mid- 18th century, it was a building set on a U-shaped floor plan, with a curtain wall enclosing the courtyard and without any towers. Most probably, at that time signs of Crosses of Lorraine made of cannonballs and a stone “K” monogram were carved in the façades. In the years 1699-1810 the building belonged to the Cistercians of Trzebnica and lost its defensive character. Next, the oldest part belonged to Gustav Kramm, an owner of a company constructing the Neumark-Poznan railway. In 1868 the entire complex was taken over by the town, while in the years 1898-1945 the former castle served as a hospital and a Catholic school and kindergarten run by the Sisters of Mercy of St Borromeo. In the years 1933-1934 new structures were erected and linked to the old complex, according to the design by Hans Schlicht, an architect based in Breslau. After World War II the structure housed the Caritas charity institution, a rehabilitation centre and a hospital ward. In 1984 renovation of the castle began, but it was interrupted in 1989. Archaeological surveys and conservation works were conducted in the years 2015-2016. Currently, some buildings host the Orthopedic Centre of the Lubuskie Voivodeship, while the oldest part remains unused and in disrepair.

Description

The castle is located in the east part of the old town. It is surrounded with a green area on the north and east side. It is a masonry building made of stone and brick, set on a horseshoe-shaped floor plan. It has two storeys and a tall, two-storey basement. It is covered with a provisional roof. The façades are pierced by regularly arranged, rectangular window openings. The plaster in large sections is missing. The south façade is connected at the west end with newer hospital buildings by means of a glazed link and is adorned with a cross made of cannonballs and a “K” monogram with a crown carved in the wall. A similar cross is found in the east façade. The interior layout is of an enfilade, two-bay type. Vaults over the basement have been preserved. Wooden ceilings were replaced with steel and reinforced concrete ones during the last renovation.

Limited access to the historical building – the building can be viewed from the outside.

Compiled by Marta Kłaczkowska, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Zielona Góra. 11-12-2017

Bibliography

• Garbacz K., Przewodnik po zabytkach województwa lubuskiego, vol. 1, Zielona Góra 2014, pp. 125-126;
• Kowalski S., Zabytki architektury województwa lubuskiego, Zielona Góra 2010, p. 86;
• Zamki, dwory i pałace województwa lubuskiego, Bielinis-Kopeć B. (ed.), Zielona Góra 2007, pp. 410-411.