Interesting places

Brzeźno is a small village situated on a small creek, a tributary of the nearby Barycz River, with the famous Milicz Ponds located in its valley, founded already in the 13th century.

Archaeological findings prove settlement in the area since at least the Neolithic Age (4200-1700 BC), traces of settlements and cemeteries of the Lusatian culture from the Younger Bronze Age and the Halstadt Iron Age (1000-400 BC) have been found, as well as discoveries from the Roman influence period (0-375 AD). Traces of early medieval settlement (10th-13th century) were found at two sites. The first historical mention of the village of Bresna dates back to 1204. In 1288, in a document of the Duke of Oleśnica, Henryk IV Probus, it appears under the name Bresin. On the other hand, old prints of the Duke Konrad Wołowski (the last of the Oleśnicki Piast dynasty) from 1487 state the existence of a grange with an impressive residential building in the village. It is almost certain that it was located on the site of today's palace. With the death of Konrad (1492) and the lack of a successor, the rule of the Polish Piasts in the northern lands of Lower Silesia came to an end. The Duchies of Oleśnica and Wallachia, together with Brzeźno, passed as a fief to the Bohemian crown and, from the 17th century onwards, into the hands of successive owners increasingly of Germanic origin.

The first owners of the village were the influential von Kospoth family, who owned numerous properties in Lower Silesia in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was probably they who erected a substantial noble estate on the site of today's chateau, as the first documented reference to it dates from 1886. A dozen or so years later, at the turn of the century, the Brzeźno estate passed into the hands of Artur von Zastrow, who rebuilt the building and gave the palace the shape we admire today.

The palace itself also had a lush history. Historians indicate that the present building is built on foundations dating from the 16th or 17th century (they do not exclude the end of the 15th century either). Fragments of these can still be found in the basement. The chateau and park date from the early 19th century. The building is at least the third on the same foundation. A major renovation including reconstruction was carried out in 1913, and the appearance of the chateau has not changed since then. The chateau was not destroyed during the war, but was completely looted by Soviet troops towards the end of the war.

After the war, the State Agricultural Farm (PGR) was installed here and operated until around 1990. The following years were not kind to the building, which gradually fell into disrepair.

The architecture of the building is maintained in the 19th century style, while the interiors, in turn, surprise visitors with their attention to detail and the multitude of original elements of 19th century decor. Both the Palace and the surrounding 200-year-old park are on the list of monuments protected by law.

In November 1999, the palace found its owners and custodians, in whose hands it has remained to this day. They did their best to restore the building to its former glory after many years of renovation. The Brzeźno palace has been restored, furnished with antique furniture and the whole arrangement creates a noble atmosphere of yesteryear. It is surrounded by a beautiful, well-kept park, which was established around a network of ponds using a natural forest of about 3.5 hectares. The park includes a picturesque pond with the famous 18th hole of the Gradi golf course, and the historic stand of trees includes English oak, common beech, scarlet oak, ash, small-leaved lime. Most of the old trees are over 200 years old.

Its unique location on the northern edge of the Trzebnickie Hills (the land of the Cistercians, wine traditions and 19th-century resorts) and in the Odra proglacial valley with its abundance of forests rich in flora and fauna makes the Brzeźno Palace a place eagerly visited not only by the inhabitants of Wrocław, but also by guests from all corners of the country and from abroad. It is difficult to find in one place so much tranquillity, old, authentic style, beautiful nature, all complemented by healthy, delicious local cuisine, fresh air and many attractions. The palace complex has a hotel, conference rooms, a restaurant, an 18-hole golf course (GRADI GOLF CLUB), a 6-hole Academy, tennis courts and a spa, which has spa qualities.

Fortunately, in 1999 someone was found who wanted to restore the palace to its former grandeur. Thanks to the efforts of the private owners, Mr and Mrs Marzena and Krzysztof Gradecki, the estate has been undergoing renovation for many years, and its effects are best seen today. Brzeźno Palace was restored with the aim of creating a unique place, consistent with its original architecture and harmoniously blending with the surrounding landscape. In the interiors, thanks to the antique furniture and elegant arrangement, the original, truly noble atmosphere of the former estate has been preserved. The palace now houses a hotel, restaurant and spa.

You too can feel the unique atmosphere of the Brzeźno Palace. We invite you to a comfortable, peaceful rest in the palace rooms.