Anyone who thinks that the story of the Upper Silesian industry is only about the historic mines and mining museums, without a doubt should go to Pławniowice. A visit to this incredibly beautiful place will not only deepen your knowledge of the region, but also provides many aesthetic and cultural experiences. It may also be a great way for your afternoon relax or a family walk.

Pławniowice is a small town located just 18 km from Gliwice (but away from the urban noise), near the exit of A4 motorway. Many foreign visitors knows this place because of Pławniowickie Lake. Meanwhile, the main attraction is a nineteenth century, beautifully situated Palace and Park, which - not without a reason - can be described as "architectural gems". This facility until the end of World War II was in possession of the von Ballerstrem family - they came from Italy's industrial magnates.. Their outstanding activities, had enormous influence on the appearance of Silesian towns - in particular, Gliwice, Zabrze and Ruda Slaska. During the rapid industrialization in Upper Silesia, they cared not only about the development of belonging to them industrial plants, but also about their employees, they built for them estates, schools and churches. That’s why it’s worth to look closer at this family and learn more about their rich history.



When you stand in the doorway of the Palace, you already feel the unique atmosphere of the nineteenth-century upper-class luxury. You have got the feeling that time has stopped ... The first point of exploring is, consecrated in 1885, Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it’s a impressive splendor and richness of colors. Next we are moving to the beautiful palace rooms, restored and furnished in the original design, making an impression that a moment before someone lived and worked in here. In the library the surprise is waiting for us - a unique collection of African instruments and folk art. Finally we arrive to the two of the most impressive rooms - a concert hall (old dining room) and conference room, called “the room of tea pots. "



From palace interiors we are moving to a small Park (amounting to 3.5 ha), it’s beautiful in every season and carefully cared. You can see there a rare specimens of old trees, beautifully blooming magnolias, and numerous of exotic trees. Art lovers will be seduced by the statue of the Virgin Mary with the Child from 1870 and situated in the courtyard an ornamented fountain.



But that's not all of the advantages in Pławniowice’s Palace. The complex has been honored a prestigious award by General Conservator of Monuments, "Tidy Monument. " It is no wonder that they often organized the various symposia, congresses, conferences and educational and cultural activities. The offer includes conferences, recitals and outdoor concerts - Pławniowicka scene has already hosted such notables as Wieslaw Ochman and Jacek Wojcicki.

Keepers of this facility, took care not only about the spiritual realm of the public, but also about their bodies. After concert, an additional attraction might be eating a delicious (and relatively inexpensive) dinner in the walls of the Ballestrem’s Palace or a cup of coffee in the Palace Cafe. For visitors, they prepared accommodation in rooms for 1 and 2 people with bathrooms.



This fascinating journey into the past, you can take for a really low price. Price of entry cards (the proceeds go entirely to the further restoration and maintenance of the Palace) is only 3 to the 5 zł.
So it is not only a great place for a weekend getaway with family or friends, but also for a school trip or conference for employees. This extraordinary and totally unique landscape of Upper Silesia is really worth a closer look ...