History

The construction of the palace began in 1677 when the estate belonged to Heinrich Johannes von Dünnewald. It was erected in place of an earlier seat. After an heirless death of his son Ludwig, the residence changed owners several times. After a fire in 1745 the residence was rebuilt. At that time, it was administered by the then owner of the estate, Count Friedrich August von Cosel, son of Augustus the Strong and Countess Cosel. The reconstruction covered the erection of two towers, new arrangement of the façades and modification of the interior décor in the spirit of Rococo. A courtyard was also delineated at the front and a geometric park was arranged to stretch towards the lake behind the palace. According to a drawing by F.B. Wernher from around 1760, it was an axial garden complex with a centrally located main alley, at the same time constituting a viewing corridor towards the lake. The main alley intersected with transverse paths; in two places the intersections were accentuated with fountains. Decorative flower parterres were located on both sides of the alley and further, side gardens were composed on regular plans limited by hedges. A courtyard set on a semi-circular floor plan stretched in front of the palace. Outbuildings were clustered around the it. A line of trees grew between the palace and the courtyard. After the Count Cosel’s son lost control over the estate, the palace belonged successively to: Graf von Schlabrendorff, von Schönaich-Carolath family and Hermina Reuss-Hohenzollern, wife of Wilhelm II. Most probably in the late 18th century the garden began to be transformed into a landscape park. Another phase of modifications took place around 1830. A pheasantry was established on the west side (first half of the 19th century), whereas a bestiary was located to the north of the above facility. The areas on the east side were planted with vegetables. The courtyard obtained a park-like appearance - according to a drawing by A. Duncker from around 1860, a round flower bed was introduced with a small water reservoir in the middle, encircled by a porte-cochère leading to a bridge over the moat. Planes of lawns with clumps of trees stretched around the courtyard and there was a hedge between the moat and the manor farm. At the turn of the 20th century a pool with a fountain in a Baroque Revival style as well as low hedges were introduced in the courtyard.  After World War II the Baroque residence saw its adaptation to the “Farmers’ Self-Help” Personnel Training Centre. After a fire in 1956 the feature was refurbished and adapted to a Pneumonia Prevention Centre for children. In that period, a pavilion was added to the south-east part of the palace, linked to it by a passage along the bridge flying over the moat. On the east side of the residence a large utility building was erected. In the years 1984-1985 conservation works were carried out in the ballroom, while in the 1990s the roof cladding was replaced and the tower was refurbished. After yet another fire, in 1990 an outbuilding in the north corner of the complex was reconstructed. Since 1998 the complex has housed a psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents.

Description

The park, with a total area of approx. 19 ha, stretches to the south-east from the palace. Its south-western border is delineated by a lime alley running along the road to the Proczki village, on the south-east and east side - by the lakeshore and on the south-west side the complex neighbours on the arable fields. The landscape park has survived within its historical borders. The main compositional axis of the Baroque garden remains clear, although it was transformed into a promenade leading to the lake in later phases. Moreover, a moat around the palace, a canal terminating the garden on the south-east side, an alley in the view corridor and a dirt road on the south side of the park have survived from the original arrangement from the mid 18th century. The original system of roads and alleys is currently barely visible. Ponds were arranged in place of an old pheasantry and bestiary. A part of the courtyard in front of the palace has been modified. The tree stands, with prevalent native species of deciduous trees, is diversified. The oldest tree stands governing the park arrangement date back to around 1830. Monumental species of pedunculate oak, approx. 360 years old, ash and small-leaved lime occur in the central and eastern part of the park. There are also numerous artificially introduced, mainly coniferous trees that are approx. 100 years old. Self-sown trees and shrubs are also found in the majority of the park area.

The site is accessible to the general public. It can be visited upon prior telephone arrangement.

Author of the note Marta Kłaczkowska, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Zielona Góra. 07-12-2017

Bibliography

• Adamek-Pujszo K., Pałac w Zaborze, gm. loco, pow. zielonogórski – dzieje obiektu i jego architektura, [in:] “Lubuskie Materiały Konserwatorskie”, 2016, vol. 13, pp. 121-141;
• Garbacz K., Przewodnik po zabytkach województwa lubuskiego, vol. 1, Zielona Góra 2014, p. 103;
• Kowalski S., Zabytki architektury województwa lubuskiego, Zielona Góra 2010, pp. 418-420;
• Zabytkowe parki województwa lubuskiego, Bielinis-Kopeć B. (ed.), Zielona Góra 2013, pp. 224-226;
• Zamki, dwory i pałace województwa lubuskiego, Bielinis-Kopeć B. (ed.), Zielona Góra 2007, pp. 337-338.